African leaders, development institutions and policy experts have renewed calls for faster implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the African Union’s Agenda 2063 following the release of the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report (ASDR).

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, in Abuja, noting that the appeal was made during the launch of the report on the sidelines of the 2026 High-Level Political Forum in New York.

The 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report was jointly produced by the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

According to the report, it remains the only publication that systematically tracks Africa’s progress toward both the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

This year’s assessment focuses on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 7, 9, 11 and 17, covering access to water, energy, infrastructure, sustainable cities and partnerships.

While the report identifies improvements in selected sectors, it concludes that Africa is still off track to achieve the 2030 targets because of persistent structural challenges affecting implementation across the continent.

Among the major obstacles identified are financing constraints, climate shocks, rising debt vulnerabilities and weak institutional capacity. To reverse the trend, the report recommends increased investment, stronger institutions, greater innovation and enhanced regional cooperation.

It also advocates stronger global partnerships and reforms to the international financial architecture to better align with Africa’s development priorities.

The publication further describes itself as a practical tool designed to support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen implementation efforts across African countries.

Speaking at the launch, United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said fragmented implementation, inadequate financing and limited institutional capacity continue to undermine progress toward sustainable development goals. She described regional cooperation as one of Africa’s strongest accelerators for sustainable development.

The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Amb. Selma Haddadi, said Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda provide a common blueprint for Africa’s long-term development.

She added that “the true measure of Africa’s progress is not the strategies we adopt, but the lives we transform. This is the decade for accelerated delivery.”

The Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr. Claver Gatete, said the continent has entered a critical phase with fewer than five years left to meet the SDGs.

He said “the ASDR 2026 demonstrates that progress is possible, but only through transformative and coordinated action.

“By strengthening institutions, mobilising finance and leveraging innovation, Africa can build a more resilient and prosperous future.”

Ahunna Eziakonwa, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa, said Africa’s future prosperity would depend on investments in people, innovation and natural resources.

She urged governments and development partners to move beyond gradual progress and embrace bold reforms and investments.

“The report is already informing policy discussions following the 12th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

“This includes priorities on clean energy, infrastructure, regional integration and implementation capacity,” she said.

Also speaking, Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager of Climate Change and Green Growth at the African Development Bank (AfDB), stressed the urgency of strengthening the foundations needed for Africa’s transformation.

He identified water, energy, infrastructure, sustainable cities and partnerships as priority sectors requiring increased investment and climate-resilient approaches

Source: EnviroNews