Sustainable development in Africa is a priority for most governments, aiming to strengthen their economy sustainably.

Challenges of sustainable development in Africa

Faced with a growing population and socio-economic needs, Africa’s development is lagging. In addition, the effects of climate change – reduced rainfall, rising temperatures, and flooding – are exacerbating this situation.

The main challenges to sustainable development range from poverty to desertification, deforestation, and climate change. However, a report on the Millennium Development Goals found that Africa has made significant efforts to achieve the goal.

Sustainable development projects in Africa: an overview

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), several projects are currently being implemented across Africa. One such project is led by the French Development Agency (AFD), which has enabled 50 million hectares of natural environments to benefit from sustainable resource management, biodiversity conservation, and restoration programs.

Africa is also actively engaged in the transition to renewable energy, in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 7. The aim is to improve the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of citizens while harnessing Africa’s renewable energy potential.

In addition, the Francophone Institute for Sustainable Development (IFDD) has funded six sustainable development projects in Cameroon to the tune of 1.2 million EUR. These and other ongoing projects demonstrate Africa’s commitment to sustainable development.

Importance of economic growth for sustainable development

Robust economic growth is essential for sustainable development in Africa. Sustained, inclusive economic growth increases household incomes, creates jobs, and improves the quality of life of the population. It also provides essential financial resources to invest in sustainable infrastructure and fund public services.

In addition, economic growth can stimulate innovation and encourage the adoption of cleaner, more efficient technologies. However, it is crucial to manage this growth in a way that minimizes its environmental impact, for example by promoting green growth or a circular economy.

In Africa, the average annual GDP growth rate between 2010 and 2021 is 3.4 %, which is still below the target of 7 % per year. This underscores the need to accelerate economic growth to achieve sustainable development goals.

Financing Sustainable Development in Africa

Financing sustainable development in Africa requires a massive mobilization of resources. According to the OECD, Africa would need an additional investment of 194 billion USD per year by 2030 to achieve its sustainable development goals. To bridge this gap, African governments need to work closely with the international community to attract higher-quality investment.

Financing can come from a variety of sources:

• Domestic resources: these can be mobilized through tax reforms and the fight against illicit financial flows.
• Private investment: this can be stimulated by an attractive business environment and incentive mechanisms such as loan guarantees.
• International resources: these can be sought through international financial institutions such as the World Bank or the African Development Bank.

Several initiatives have been launched to facilitate the financing of sustainable development in Africa. For example, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) and the Climate Change Fund for Africa (CCFA), managed by the African Development Bank, provide catalytic funding to leverage private sector investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Africa

Promoting sustainable development in Africa requires a holistic approach. The development of inclusive policies is essential, reflecting the strategic priority of promoting inclusive institutional practices. These policies should target key sectors such as education, gender equality, and health, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Resource mobilization is also a key strategy. Constructive dialogue with political, economic, cultural, and social development actors at national and regional levels is necessary for effective resource mobilization.

Investing in green growth is also essential to seize the continent’s development opportunities. This includes promoting agro-ecology and sustainable natural resource management, which are key elements of green growth.

Finally, international cooperation plays an important role in promoting sustainable development in Africa. Strong partnerships, such as those between the EU and Africa, can help combat climate change and promote sustainable economic growth

Energy, a key sector for sustainable development in Africa

Africa’s energy sector is undergoing a major transformation and plays a critical role in achieving the continent’s sustainable development goals. At present, development initiatives such as power generation rely mainly on fossil fuels. However, an emerging trend is moving the continent towards increased use of renewable energy.

The stakes are high: around 50 % of Africa’s population lacks access to electricity, rising to 70 % in sub-Saharan Africa, hampering economic development and poverty reduction.

To address this, many African countries, such as Kenya and South Africa, are increasingly turning to renewable energy as a means of transitioning to a more sustainable energy future. This is a unique opportunity for Africa, rich in renewable energy resources, to pursue sustainable energy development as a foundation for long-term prosperity.

Moreover, development strategies and investment efforts in the sector, particularly to support this transition, are noteworthy. For example, the French Development Agency (AFD) has earmarked 1.2 billion EUR for the energy sector in Africa in 2019. Similarly, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, provides catalytic financing to stimulate private sector investment in renewable energy.

Despite this huge potential and these financing initiatives, investment in renewable energy in Africa remains at levels that have been described as « alarming ».