Africa’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the aspirations, goals, and targets of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 has been uneven, with significant differences among sub regions, countries, and rural and urban areas. The latest Africa Sustainable Development report calls for accelerated efforts to ensure that Africa achieves the global goals by the 2030 deadline.

The 2023 report, titled “Accelerating the recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and African Union Agenda 2063 at all levels”, was released on the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly. It was produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

The report assessed Africa’s progress in implementing the SDGs and the African Union’s Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, amidst unfolding crises. It focused on five key SDGs, highlighting progress, the challenges and the numerous opportunities for improving Africa’s development prospects.

The findings suggest steady progress on the key SDG targets, particularly on 4G mobile network coverage, access to safe drinking water, and electrification rates.