The Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) is an annual intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder platform mandated by the General Assembly through its resolutions 67/290, 70/1 and 70/299. The Forum was put into operation following the adoption of resolutions 930 (XLVIII) and 939 (XLIX) at the eighth and ninth joint annual meetings of the Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration of the African Union and the Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the Economic Commission for Africa, held in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
The Africa Regional Forum undertakes integrated follow-up and review of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Agenda 2063 for “The Africa We Want”. Since, the two agendas provide a synergistic framework for achieving inclusive and people-centered sustainable development in the region.
The Forum is one of the three mechanisms mandated to follow up on, review and catalyze action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the goals of Agenda 2063. The other mechanisms are the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) and, at the global level, the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on sustainable development. To complement these processes and to bolster local action, national and subnational governments have embarked on Voluntary Local Review (VLR) processes. In that regard, the Forum also provides a platform for peer learning, including on Voluntary National Reviews and Voluntary Local Reviews by subnational entities.
The Forum is organized by the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the African Development Bank (ADB) and various entities of the United Nations (UN) system.
Accordingly, the eleventh session of the Africa Regional Forum (ARFSD -11) will be organized by ECA, in collaboration with the Government of Uganda (GoU), the African Union Commission, the African Development Bank and various organizations within the United Nations system. It will bring together ministers, senior officials, experts and practitioners from members of ECA, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and United Nations entities.
Theme and Context
The theme of the ARFSD -11 is “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science and evidence based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.” It is aligned with the theme of the 2025 meeting of the High-Level Political Forum, “Advancing Sustainable, inclusive science and evidence-based solutions for the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind and the Agenda 2063 for the African Union.”
Africa is endowed with both human and natural resources that have the potential to drive socio-economic development. Additionally, it offers a conducive environment for sustaining humanity. Various development frameworks aimed at achieving sustainable development have been implemented, leading to significant progress in Africa’s economic growth. Despite some progress in economic development, Africa’s growth remains fragile and uneven. The continent is still grappling with high levels of poverty, unemployment, and inequality. The global economic downturn, coupled with rising debt levels, has strained public finances across many African countries, limiting their capacity to invest in essential services and infrastructure necessary to achieve the SDGs. The financing gap for the SDGs in Africa remains substantial, with an estimated shortfall of $120 billion annually for the continent to stay on track. Recent data indicates that Africa remains the region with the highest poverty rates globally, with over 34% of the population living below the poverty line. Economic growth, although positive in some countries, has been uneven and insufficient to drive substantial poverty reduction. The continent’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate has averaged around 3% over the past five years, well below the 7% target needed to meet the SDGs by 2030. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent global economic shocks have further exacerbated economic vulnerabilities, pushing millions into extreme poverty and reversing gains made in poverty reduction.
The African labor market is characterized by high levels of informality, underemployment, and youth unemployment. The continent’s growing youth population, projected to reach 830 million by 2050, poses both an opportunity and a challenge. Harnessing this demographic dividend requires the creation of millions of decent jobs, yet current economic structures are ill-equipped to meet this demand. Structural transformation remains slow, with limited progress in industrialization and value addition. The reliance on raw commodity exports has left African economies vulnerable to external shocks, with limited diversification and integration into global value chains.
Achieving the SDGs and Agenda 2063 goals requires robust partnerships at all levels. However, Africa continues to face challenges in mobilizing adequate financial resources, technological support, and capacity building. The continent’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains low, averaging around 16%, limiting domestic resource mobilization efforts. Global financial flows, including Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Official Development Assistance (ODA), have been volatile, with many African countries struggling to attract sustainable investments. The debt burden has also increased, with several countries facing the risk of debt distress.
Africa is disproportionately affected by climate change, despite contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. The continent is experiencing more frequent and severe climate-related disasters, such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, which threaten food security, water resources, and livelihoods. The urgency to adapt to climate change and mitigate its effects is paramount, yet access to climate finance remains limited, with Africa receiving only 2% of global clean-energy finance flows. The continent’s low adaptive capacity and the existing vulnerability of many communities underscore the need for a significant scaling-up of efforts in climate adaptation and resilience-building.
Africa’s marine and coastal ecosystems are under significant threat from overfishing, pollution, and climate change. The degradation of these ecosystems has severe implications for food security, livelihoods, and biodiversity. Despite the continent’s vast marine resources, the potential for sustainable economic growth through the blue economy remains largely untapped. Addressing these challenges requires enhanced governance, investment in sustainable practices, and regional cooperation.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated weaknesses in Africa’s health systems, leading to setbacks in health-related SDGs, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality, combating infectious diseases, and improving access to healthcare. The pandemic has also heightened social inequalities, disproportionately affecting women, youth, and other marginalized groups. The need for stronger, more resilient health systems and social protection measures is critical to safeguard against future shocks and ensure that no one is left behind. Africa continues to face significant health challenges, including high maternal and child mortality rates, infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria, and emerging health threats. The healthcare infrastructure remains underdeveloped, with limited access to essential services, particularly in rural areas.
Gender disparities persist across Africa, with women and girls facing significant barriers to education, employment, and political participation. Violence against women and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, remain prevalent in many regions. Despite progress in gender parity in primary education, the transition to secondary and tertiary education remains low for girls. Women’s participation in the labor force is also hindered by discriminatory practices and limited access to resources such as land and finance.
Weak governance, political instability, and conflicts in several African countries continue to hinder progress toward sustainable development. The erosion of trust in multilateralism and the rise of geopolitical tensions further complicate efforts to achieve the SDGs and Agenda 2063. Strengthening governance frameworks, promoting peace, and enhancing regional cooperation are essential to create an enabling environment for sustainable development.
Therefore, the Africa Forum on Sustainable Development presents opportunities for transformative action. There is a growing recognition that sustainable development in Africa requires not only economic growth but also social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and robust governance. The eleventh ARFSD offers a strategic platform to harness the power of science, technology, and innovation (STI) as essential catalysts for sustainable development. The African Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD) recognizes the crucial need for economic transformation and job creation to address Africa’s high levels of unemployment, particularly among the youth. Africa’s rapidly growing population, coupled with increasing youth unemployment, presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Sustainable, inclusive, and science-driven solutions are essential to foster economic growth, create millions of decent jobs, and leverage the continent’s demographic dividend. The forum will emphasize the importance of industrialization, diversification, and value addition in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the digital economy, with the aim of building resilient economies capable of withstanding global shocks. Achieving the Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda will require substantial investments in infrastructure, education, and capacity-building to create an environment conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship. By leveraging science and evidence-based solutions, Africa can develop sustainable industries, harness its rich natural resources, and advance regional integration through frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The ARFSD provides a strategic platform to explore innovative approaches to accelerate job creation, foster inclusive economic growth, and build resilient, knowledge-based economies that are adaptable to global economic changes, ensuring that no one is left behind. Strengthened regional collaboration in critical areas such as climate change, health, and gender equality can magnify the impact of national initiatives and promote collective action towards shared objectives.