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IDOSR JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION AND ENGLISH 8(1) 6-12, 2023.

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https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JCE/23/10.1.71

Prospects and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Africa Ugwu Jovita Nnenna, 2Tom Mulegi, 3Asiati Mbabazi, and 4Eze Chidinma Esther 1

Department of Publication and Extension Kampala International University, Uganda.

Department of Public Administration and Management Faculty of Business and Management Kampala International University Uganda.

3 Faculty of Education Kampala International University Uganda.

4 Department of Educational Foundation, Kampala International University, Uganda.

1 2

ABSTRACT Despite attempts by African governments to achieve Sustainable Development, there is a growing perception that Africa may fail in achieving the goals. This perception is fueled partly by the evidence that while the world is undergoing rapid change, which is driven prominently by technology and globalization, Africa remains unprotected and at risk of being exploited without due recognition of, and remuneration for, its resources.

Additionally, there is the continued escalating trend in poverty and the diminishing strength of the environment to meet current and future needs of African countries. Given the fact that sustainable development appears to be contradicting in between the opposing imperatives of growth and development on one hand, and ecological sustainability on the other, the trend in sustainable development on the African continent has generated some skepticism about whether the goals are achievable in Africa. The lack of a logical literature that documents the challenges and prospects of Sustainable development in Africa underpins the uncertainty of achieving the goals in Africa. Hence, this paper assessed the challenges of sustainable development in Africa, and the way forward.

Keywords: SDG, Africa, Agriculture, Poverty, Economy, Development INTRODUCTION In recent times, there has been a unsustainable not only from the paradigm shift in defining development environmental perspective but also from and the way it is approached. This the economic, social and employment paradigm shift resulted in the adoption of perspectives because it is resourceSustainable Development (SD), a concept intensive, hence the need to pursue SD which was highlighted in the Brunt land [2].

Report of 1987 and at the Stockholm According to [3], the idea of Sustainable Conference of 1972 [1]. The shift was Development (SD) dates back more than borne out of the global links between 30 years ago, and it was coined by the environmental problems and socioWorld Conservation Union (Association of economic concerns, and also as a result of African Universities, 2009). The Bruntland the fact that earlier conceptions and Report defines Sustainable Development approaches to development appeared to (SD) as “development that meets the focus largely on economics and physical needs of the present without wealth despite the multi-dimensional and compromising the ability of the future complex nature of development. Focusing generations to meet their own needs.” The on economics and physical wealth in the Organization for Economic Cooperation pursuit of development has proven to be and Development [3], also defines SD as

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the development path along which the New Partnership for Africa’s Development maximization of human well-being for (NEPAD) and the establishment of today’s generation does not lead to the Regional Economic Councils (RECs) in the decline in the well-being of the future sub-region [4]. generation. These definitions suggest that In spite of these attempts by African SD considers the needs of the future and governments towards SD, there is a current generations in tandem, and it is growing perception that Africa could fail rooted in the pursuit of the welfare and in achieving SD. This perception is fueled well-being of the people. SD is motivated partly by the evidence that while the by the negative externalities that are world is undergoing rapid change, which responsible for natural resource depletion is driven prominently by technology and and degradation; it requires screening globalization, Africa remains unprotected public goods that are essential for and at risk of being exploited without due economic development, and it also recognition of, and remuneration for, its stresses the importance of retaining the resources [5]. Additionally, there is the flexibility of the environment to respond continued escalating trend in poverty and to shock [4]. In order to achieve SD, the diminishing strength of the African governments have launched environment to meet current and future several strategies. In Ghana for instance, needs of African countries. Given the fact the Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy that SD appears to be contradicting in (GPRS I and II) and the National between the opposing imperatives of Environmental Policy (NEP) were designed. growth and development on one hand, In Tanzania, the National Development and ecological sustainability on the other Vision (NDV) 2025 was designed. In Egypt, [6], the trend in SD on the African there was the National Strategy for Solid continent has generated some skepticism Waste Management (NSSWM). Across the about whether SD is achievable in Africa. entire continent, there has been an The lack of a coherent literature that increased number of SD initiatives being documents the challenges and prospects implemented in some 28 countries; these of Sustainable development in Africa initiatives manifested in the underpins the uncertainty of achieving SD transformation of the Organization of in Africa. This paper therefore evaluates African Unity (OAU) to the African Union the challenges of SD in Africa, and (AU) in 2001, the establishment of the suggests way forward.

Conceptual Definition of Sustainable Development The number of definitions for SD is surprising that the conceptual constraints suggestive of the debate over its tend to rather reflect the political and definition since its coinage in the 1980s. philosophical position of those proposing [6], add that the many different the definition more than any scientific interpretations of SD are confusing, and view [4], which may influence policy the literature is rife with several attempts options towards the implementation of SD to define the term. The debates have programs. Such difficulties in defining the erupted between those who prefer the term lead to the phenomenon of cosmetic Three Pillars Approach- emphasizing the environmentalism where the tag of social, ecological, and economic sustainability is stuck on what may be dimensions of sustainable development unsustainable, and hence gives way to or a more dualistic typology-emphasizing questions of determining what is the relationship between nature and environmentally benign [5]. Irrespective humanity [7]. [8], contends that pursuing of these conceptual constraints, the both ends of what is ‘sustainable’ and international community appears to ‘development’ are difficult to pin down, embrace the idea that SD is an imperative. and so it is a wonder how we can avoid This belief finds expression in the words compromising future generations’ needs of [6] that, “the world cannot continue to when we cannot foresee what these needs act, produce and consume unsustainably, will be. Given these difficulties, it is not this is the time to act especially on water,

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energy, human health, agriculture and biodiversity”, if SD is to be achieved.

Achievements and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Africa Economic growth and poverty argued that “currently, many African reduction: Economic sustainability economies are strongly growing in requires countries to be on a broad-based comparison to the industrialized world, quality economic growth which focuses with a continental economic growth of 6% on reducing poverty and inequality, in 2012; sub-Saharan Africa is now in a supporting investment, and building an position to compete with other energy efficient social services system towards markets in some labor-intensive areas” SD. By 2012, the International Monetary [8]. In Cote D’Ivoire, for instance, “the Fund (IMF) estimated that “with a Gross service sector accounts for about 50% and Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate of rising; this is expected to grow by 13.7% 35%, Sierra Leone was the fastest growing in 2013, and in June 2011 the country was economy in the world and that over the restored to eligibility status of the African ten years, six of the world’s fastest Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after growing economies were in sub-Saharan it was suspended in 2005; beyond 10.5% Africa”. These six African countries in 2012, economic growth is expected at include: Angola, 11.1%; Nigeria, 8.9%; 9% in 2013 and 10% in 2014 and beyond” Ethiopia, 8.4%; Chad, 7.9; Mozambique, [7]. It can be deduced from these 7.9%; and Rwanda, 7.6% (UNECA, 2012). statistics that African countries are Additionally, forecasts by the IMF also making great strides towards building suggests that seven African countries are robust economies for the current likely to be among the top ten over the generation, but more importantly for next half decade, 2011-2015 (Ethiopia, future generations. Even though the 8.1%; Mozambique,7.7%; Tanzania, 7.2%; statistical figures put Africa in a positive Republic of Congo, 7.0%; Ghana, 7.0%; light, how has such efforts directly Zambia, 6.9%; and Nigeria, 6.9%). Given translated into poverty reduction, the current prospects, there is a strong infrastructural development, and likelihood that Africa will surpass Asia in improved sanitation? These are critical growth in the next decade [7]. This is questions that demand immediate further supported by evidence that from answers if the perceived economic growth 1990-2002, the average real GDP in Africa on the continent will have any meaning. grew by 3.3% and from 2003-2004, the These questions appear difficult to average real GDP growth was 3.8%. Central answer given the fact that only 10% of Africa had the highest growth rate (4.2%); Africa’s trade is within the continent [9].

North Africa (3.9%); East Africa (2.9%); and Africa exports only 18% of manufactured West Africa (2.4%). After the initial slump goods and imports 65% [10]. The level of in growth from 1991-1992, Africa’s private sector investment currently growth began to improve peaking in 1996. stands at 5-8%, but that needs to be (UN, 2010). Available data suggest that drastically increased [11]. Africa’s share “government debt in sub-Saharan Africa in the $130 trillion global trade has was around 70-80% of GDP ten years ago remained a minimal 3% over the years and but that has been halved to about 45-40% intra-trade is a meager 10% [12]. On the of GDP currently; Foreign Direct global platform, of the 1.2 billion living in Investment (FDI) in sub-Saharan Africa, extreme poverty, 25% are from subwhich is now a diversified portfolio of Saharan Africa [13].

The World investment in the banking, tourism, Commission on Environment and textiles, communication and other sectors Development identified that one of the has improved since the late 1990s issues that is fundamental to overcoming translating into 2.4% of GDP” [5]. At the the challenge of SD is the overriding state turn of the Millennium, “Africa’s GDP was of poverty on the African continent [13]. $600 billion; today, it is $2.2 trillionThe Millennium Assessment suggests that adjusted for inflation, Africa’s GDP has not only does the level of poverty remain doubled in 10 years” [7]. It has been high, but inequality is growing.

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Consequently, the [4] concludes that the African government must remove if the overarching SD challenge in Africa is pursuit of SD is to be achieved. poverty eradication. This is a barrier that Demographic Characteristics and Education How to manage the demographic larger than its predecessors and there are dynamics of Africa’s population is critical twice many people under the age of 28 as to the achievement of SD in Africa. over it; this implies that employment Populations in the region have been must grow at a faster rate, but it is growing steadily over the past decade estimated that about 71% of sub-Saharan compared to the world average. The Africa’s working age population lacks full pattern with regard to biodiversity shows time employment [10]. Additionally, escalating use of natural resources, rising Africa’s population is largely rural-based pollution levels and climate change, and it and therefore heavily dependent on must be borne in mind that these agriculture for their livelihood; rural areas feedbacks can trigger aggravation of the are home to some 80% of the total initial problems [6]. Some aspects of population, which includes 70% of the Africa’s current demographic continent’s extreme poor and characteristics will put the continent in an undernourished [10]. The [7] report advantageous position if managed argues that progress towards universal properly. For example, Africa has the primary education has been a steady world’s fastest growing population- and success in some African countries. Such the youngest, with more than half under countries include: Burundi, Ghana, 20 years old. While population growth Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, and might be positive, there is a Tanzania. However, progress is still corresponding challenge with the nature needed in related aspects like of the population growth dynamic. infrastructure, quality of education, Several reports highlight the problem of completion rates, enrollment in secondary youth unemployment on the continent; and tertiary education and teaching with a rapid growth in population in the capacity. past 50 years, each generation is much Environment, Health and Sanitation For SD to be attained, there must be were cut in half [7]. In Rwanda in 2003, conscious efforts towards friendly access to healthcare stood at just 7% of environmental practices. This must be the population; but when a health practiced in tandem with improved health insurance scheme was established, with and sanitation. The race to reducing the small scheme susbsidized by foreign infant and maternal mortality is being aid for those who could not afford it, the won in the region. For instance, scheme saw access to healthcare rise to Mozambique has achieved a reduction of 85% by 2009 [8]. Progress is being made over 70%; Malawi, 68%; and Niger, 64%; to halving the proportion of Africa’s maternal mortality rates have also fallen population without sustainable access to and the fight against malaria has also clean drinking water. They are however improved significantly through the some harsh environmental conditions that distribution of insecticide-treated tend to affect livelihoods. One such mosquito nets in sub-Saharan Africa [6]. condition is climate change, which has By the year 2000, malaria was killing over been identified as one of the leading twenty-nine thousand people in Ethiopia human and environmental crisis in the and as part of efforts to meet the 21st century [6]. The institute suggests Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), that Africa is already facing considerable the government introduced a program to water stress as a result of insufficient and deliver two mosquito nets to every family unreliable rainfall that changes pattern at risk, alongside a reduction in the cost and causes flooding. Climate change also of malarial drugs by half; within 3 years negatively impacts on agriculture on of implementation, deaths from malaria which three-quarters of Africa’s

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population depend for their livelihood. It Uganda, most of the imported cars are is also argued that in some African second-hand. While Nigeria has seen a countries like Egypt, deteriorating air steady economic rate of approximately 7% quality is linked to industrial emissions every year for the last decade, it is also and traffic density, and suspended dust is faced with other discouraging statistics. the major air pollution problem in the For instance, the country has some of the country; In Zambia, sulphur dioxide is worst human development indicators in particularly a problem in Kitwe due to the the world; nor is it on track to meet most smelting of copper and roasting of cobalt of the health and education MDGs [6]. among other industrial activities; In Agriculture Reports suggest that Africa’s SD agenda sector unattractive, especially to youth; cannot be achieved without Agriculture African agriculture is still largely taking its rightful place in this process. subsistence, and receives less than 4% of [3], argues that agriculture contributes a all commercial credit [4]. Currently, “there significant share to the continent’s GDP are a lot of talk about agriculture being a and the majority of Africa’s labor force is strategic element in Africa’s growth, but employed in Agriculture. In Nigeria for how many financial institutions are instance, there has been a boost in access willing to give loans to farmers to embark to fertilizer with a privatized company on expansion; in Uganda for instance, Notore, where farmers currently receiving only 4% of the total loans given by banks subsidized fertilizer have increased from goes to Agriculture, while 64% of the 20% to 94%. Doreo Partners gives farmers population in Africa is engaged in training, credit, seed and fertilizer and Agriculture, contributing to 34% of GDP” helps them to market the product [5].

[6]. In a study by the African Studies Farmers in Osun State receive a new strain Center (ASC), Leiden University, it was of Cassava as part of the government’s found that grain production in Africa has push for the crop; hence, there is growth remained static since 1961, and that total in Nigeria’s Cassava industry after a domestic cereal production has dropped decade effort resulting in flour makers from 83% to just 67%; while 5 out of 12 including 10% Cassava in bread and countries selected for the study had a government offers 12% tax rebate to positive trade balance, in terms of companies that comply [7]. Again, agricultural commodities in 1961, agriculture provides employment for however none do so now [8]. Other some 70% of Africa’s labor force and constraints identified regarding the poor contributes 50% of export earnings and performance of African agriculture 35% of GDP in most countries [8]. Even include: inadequate infrastructure, though Agriculture is believed to be one unstable markets opportunities, small of the mainstays of Africa’s achievement markets and lack of current market of the SD, there are enormous challenges information, uncertain policy that have to be overcome if Africa can environment and poor competitiveness of fully tap into agriculture’s potential. Food African products on the international prices have risen in Africa mainly because market [6]. It has been argued that the Africa imports most of its food and so continent is the most food-insecure place global price changes affect food prices in on the planet, and this is compounded by Africa [3]. The problem of hunger in escalating food prices, which could Africa is rooted in an inability to produce trigger social and political unrest [5]. It is enough food to feed its growing worth mentioning that the phenomenon population [3]. Perhaps the reason for of food insecurity is partly blamable on Africa’s inability to produce more to feed foreign land purchase for agriculture [6]. itself is that the rudimentary and laborThe evidence suggests that most of such intensive tools, equipment and low level land acquisitions are not for growing of inputs used in African agriculture crops for domestic markets, but rather results in low productivity, making the part of food and energy security goals for

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the home state of the investor. For Mozambique (38%), Sudan (21%), and example, African countries that lease Tanzania (35%). As a result of this, some large tracts of land to foreign investors of these countries imposed restrictions on have some of the highest undernourished food exports in response to the massive people in the world including Democratic spike in agricultural prices and the Republic of Congo (76%), Ethiopia (46%), internal food security issues created [9].

Kenya (32%), Madagascar (37%), CONCLUSION Conclusively, Sustainable development and scales, and governments must move can be achieved in Africa. However, there from concepts to action. It is therefore is need for major policy shifts and imperative for African government to look implementation of policies. Similarly, it is beyond narrow policy implementation noteworthy to state that SD is strongly process and rather focus on implementing interlinked and this has far-reaching programs and projects that have strong implications for policies and processes. linkages that will ensure the attainment of Hence, SD must be viewed as an SD in Africa. integrative concept across fields, sectors REFERENCES 1. United Nations Economic Assessment, Sustainability, and Commission for Africa (2010), Significance, 7-8 June, University “Progress towards sustainable of British Columbia, Ottawa, development report in Africa”, availableathttp://static.twoday.net UNECA, Addis Ababa. /NE1BOKU0607/files/Gibson_Susta 2. Ngongi, A.N. (2013), "Africa can inability-EA.pdf (accessed 18 feed itself and contribute to world March 2014). food security", New Africa, No. 8. Hopwood, B., Mellor, M. and 528.

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Ugwu Jovita Nnenna, Tom Mulegi, Asiati Mbabazi, and Eze Chidinma Esther (2023).Prospects and Challenges of Sustainable Development in Africa. IDOSR Journal of Communication and English 8(1) 6-12. https://doi.org/10.59298/IDOSR/JCE/23/10.1.71

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