Addis Ababa, 28 April 2026 (ECA) - Major groups and other stakeholders at the Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD12) are in agreement on the need for urgent action to overcome structural barriers that hinder development across the continent.
This category of ARFSD stakeholders includes civil society, business and industry organizations, and academic and research institutions gathered to address the pressing challenges impeding progress towards the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The discussions revealed uneven progress and structural constraints
They underscored that despite some advancements, progress in Africa remains uneven and significantly constrained by major obstacles, such as growing debt vulnerabilities, declining official development assistance, data gaps, weak accountability, and shrinking civic space.
Participants underscored the importance of adopting people-centered and rights-based approaches to ensure that no one is left behind. This entails a particular focus on vulnerable groups, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. To support these efforts, they called for inclusive and disaggregated data systems, gender-responsive budgeting, and stronger connections between national commitments and local implementation.
They also emphasized their vital contributions to accelerating progress through co-designed solutions and community-led actions. Participants expressed the need to improve access to financing for grassroots and youth-led initiatives, thereby strengthening the vital interface between research, policy, and society. Highlighting the value of indigenous knowledge in addition to scientific expertise, they argued for innovative approaches that ensure digital transformation and artificial intelligence enhance productivity and inclusion, rather than exacerbate inequalities or undermine labor rights.
The discussions further delved into critical levers necessary for Africa’s transformation, emphasizing sustainable financing for development, debt relief and restructuring, and climate finance that prioritizes grants over loans. Energy sovereignty emerged as a crucial issue, along with the need for effective social dialogue. Participants called for stronger partnerships among governments, parliaments, civil society, academia, the private sector, and the United Nations system. The need for reforms in global and regional governance structures to address power imbalances and rebuild trust was also highlighted as essential for sustainable development.
This side event served as a clarion call for collaborative efforts to navigate the complexities of development in Africa, reinforcing the need for a united front as essential for inclusive and sustainable growth across the continent.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org