Mogadishu, Somalia – The African Union (AU) today officially launched the 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report, providing a critical assessment of the continent’s progress and prospects in implementing both the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The launch, held during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF 2025) as part of “Africa Day” in New York, emphasized the urgent need for collaborative action to accelerate development across the continent.
Ms. Botho Kebabonye Bayendi, Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery at the African Union Commission, moderated the event and highlighted the significance of the report. “As we launch the 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report, we get to see the progress and prospect on the implementation of #Agenda2063 and #Agenda2030 for #sustainable #development in #Africa,” Ms. Bayendi stated.
The report’s findings are informed by the outcomes of the Eleventh Session of the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11), which was recently convened in Kampala, Uganda, from April 9-11, 2025. This crucial forum, co-organized by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Government of Uganda in collaboration with the AU Commission and other partners, focused on the theme “Driving job creation and economic growth through sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.” The Kampala forum specifically conducted in-depth reviews of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), life below water (SDG 14), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17). It also saw the adoption of the Kampala Declaration, a regional roadmap for bold, science-based, and inclusive policy actions.
Ms. Bayendi underscored that the outcomes from the Kampala forum have magnified both the urgency and the sheer scale of Africa’s development commitments. In light of this, she called for intensified cross-sector dialogue and cooperation among all stakeholders, including governments, youth representatives, the private sector, and multilateral institutions. This collaborative approach is deemed essential for overcoming existing hurdles and maximizing opportunities for sustainable growth.
The 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report itself serves as a vital tool for tracking Africa’s performance on the goals and targets of the two key agendas, utilizing the latest available data. It aims to provide African Member States with evidence-based insights to formulate and implement effective policies, ensuring that no one is left behind in the continent’s pursuit of peace and prosperity.
The launch at the HLPF 2025 signifies Africa’s consolidated voice on global platforms, advocating for accelerated action and adequate resources to achieve its ambitious development targets. The report’s findings will be crucial for informing national strategies across the continent, including in Somalia, as countries strive to build resilient economies, strengthen social protection, and foster inclusive growth aligned with the aspirations of Agenda 2063 – “The Africa We Want.”
