SPECIAL FEATURE
The continent faces a patchwork of challenges that may unravel in the absence of African leadership and international support By Ayokunu Adedokun, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and International Development at Leiden University, the Netherlands O n September 25, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly
officially adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Every African country joined in this unanimous decision by the 193 UN member states. Since that time, the continent has made significant progress in many key areas. Primary school enrollment now exceeds 80 percent in Africa, according to the United Nations educational, scientific and cultural organization, representing one of the highest global increases. There have been substantial reductions in maternal and child mortality rates, along with over 70 percent reductions in diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. In terms of economic forecasts, Africa is set to post 4 percent GDP growth in 2023 and 2024, outperforming the global average of 3.2 percent, according to the African Development Bank (see page 16). The continent has also made remarkable progress in gender equality, ranking second only to Europe with 17 female parliamentary heads, while leading the global business sector with women holding a quarter of board positions. This progress can be attributed to a heightened political commitment to the SDGs, strategic integration of goals into national policies, credible international support, technological advancements, community-driven initiatives and diversification beyond traditional sectors. Despite these successes, Africa’s journey towards achieving the SDGs has been uneven across regions and sectors. Reports from the World Bank, African Development Bank, Brookings Institution and Mo Ibrahim Foundation highlight significant ongoing challenges, particularly regarding inclusivity and sustainability. In this piece, I pick out the interwoven threads of Africa’s challenges, focusing on food, climate and poverty, before presenting brief policy recommendations based on various theoretical and empirical insights.
In Africa around 20 percent of the total population,
or 280 million people, live in
chronic hunger – more than double the share of other regions.
AYOKUNU ADEDOKUN
Assistant Professor of Public Policy and International Development at Leiden University (the Netherlands); expert in global conflict, peacebuilding, democracy, corruption and anti- corruption policies; advisor to governments and international organizations.
Ayokunu Adedokun, Leiden University, Assistant Professor of Public Policy and International Development
The far-reaching impacts of food insecurity Although we are living in the most prosperous era in history, food insecurity is a growing concern. Almost 30 percent of the global population, 2.4 billion people, faced moderate or severe food insecurity, according to UN estimates from 2022. Tipping the scales from uncertainty to suffering, 900 million people, almost 10 percent of the world’s population, are going hungry every night. The situation is particularly grave in Africa, where
around 20 percent of the total population, or 280 million people, live in chronic hunger – more than double
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