“Africa is making progress in 12 of the 17 SDGs, however the current pace of progress is insufficient to achieve the SDGs by 2030,” and “data gaps prevent a full picture of the continent’s performance.” These are the main takeaways from the 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report, which reviews the status of Africa’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 and offers policy recommendations to facilitate their attainment.
Themed ‘Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063,’ the report focuses on the five SDGs that underwent in-depth reviews by the 2025 UN High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) – SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 14 (life below water), and SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). It analyzes each Goal in relation to the corresponding goal of Agenda 2063.
The report underscores that there are substantial opportunities to accelerate progress in Africa, despite the debt burden, unemployment growth, and rising global uncertainties. It recommends making use of the demographic dividend, natural resources, digital technology, private sector investment, and strong institutions to facilitate the transformative change needed for sustainable and inclusive development.
To achieve the SDGs, the report underscores the urgent need to bridge the annual financing gap, estimated between USD 670 billion and 762 billion by 2030, with over 80% of the gap found in the least developed countries (LDCs).
On SDG 3, the report notes that while Africa has made significant progress in health outcomes, many African countries are unlikely to meet SDG 3 by 2030 unless progress is accelerated.
On SDG 5, the report calls for a holistic approach to gender equality, viewing it as an enabler of overall sustainable and inclusive development. It stresses the need to address violence against women and girls and harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). While “significant” progress is reported in achieving gender parity in leadership and managerial positions, care work remains a barrier to effective participation, and gender disparities continue to prevail in asset ownership.
The report flags slowing progress towards SDG 8 and raises concerns over quality of employment. It recommends: addressing the productivity challenge by ensuring resource efficiency, diversification, innovation, and support for micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs); and supporting decent jobs and economic growth through structural reforms.
Progress on SDG 14 in Africa is slow, according to the report, with multiple and interrelated issues compromising sustainable ocean and marine ecosystems. It calls for a holistic approach to SDG 14, with robust partnerships and collaboration.
On SDG 17, the report identifies “huge” financing challenges and underscores the need for: robust statistical systems for monitoring and accountability; and a “whole of system” approach to implementing it.
Key recommendations include:
- Leverage solidarity through South-South cooperation;
- Invest in youth and skills and education at all levels;
- Mobilize finance and strengthen partnerships;
- Strengthen institutions for sound economic governance; and
- Invest in data infrastructure.
Produced by the African Union (AU), the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the report was launched on 23 July during the HLPF 2025 Africa Day. [Publication: 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report (Executive Summary)] [Publication Landing Page]