Africa Will Never Achieve Sustainable Development Unless Something Drastic Changes in the Sustainable Development Will, Leadership and Strateg
Eng. Simon Mandhlaenkosi Bere (M.Sc.)
?Resultsologist ? Strategy, Performance, Problem-Solving & Solutions Consultant?ISWM?Speaker? Planner ?Climate, Pollution, Environment ?SDGs ?Training & Education?Leadership?Entrepreneurship/Business/Marketing/Sales
Many people in the development world are optimists. Even when chances are slim they still project optimism as is illustrated with climate change and climate action. The same is happening with making sustainable development a reality. While the world way behind in terms of meeting its sustainable development targets, those spearheading sustainable development keep exuding hope and optimism. This in itself is not bad, only that it is far from being enough.
Hope and optimism are extremely important as a fuel, but hope and optimism are neither strategy nor leadership. And strategy and leadership are the two most critical ingredients missing in the formula for making sustainable development a reality.
The probability of achieving sustainability at a world scale are still slim because of the global leadership and strategy crises that we continue to face.
Five Main Handicaps for Africa's Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development Leadership Deficiency
Sufficient and effective global and local leadership is key to making sustainable development a reality. Effective leadership produces peace, inspires people to pursue their aspirations, makes sound decisions in the interest of sustainable development and create conditions for the availability of the resources that are require for sustainability and sustainable development including the successful implementation of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Strategy and Strategic Thinking Application
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are crucial for sustainable development. Yet science, engineering and technology are not the limiting factors when it comes to making sustainable development a reality. Lack of strategy and strategic thinking and approaching sustainable development in non-strategic way is a big handicap to sustainable development. Sound sustainable development strategies and effective strategies for successfully pursuing the 17 Goals are irreplaceable imperatives.
People driving sustainable programs, projects and initiatives all need strategic thinking support as well as knowledge of strategy so that they adopt strategic approaches to sustainable development. This is in contrast to current approaches that tend to be operational and tactical.
Many sustainable development initiatives and projects at national levels also tend to be piece meal rather than strategic. The sustainable development goals are integrated and are best implemented holistically. Most failures at implementation of the goals are strategy-related, not technically related.
Low Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals and Sustainable Development Action
Commitment to sustainability and sustainable development goals in Africa is low. Some evidence of this low commitment include lack of comprehensive, legislative instruments to support the implementation of the goals as lack of financial commitment by most governments to sustainable development work.
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Limited Planning, Implementation and Management Capacity
Program and project planning and management capabilities and capacity are not at the level and ubiquity that is required for the successful and high impact implementation of sustainable development work.
Low Levels of Sustainable Development Awareness and Education
Awareness of sustainable development theory and practice is still very low in Africa both at institutional, community and societal level. This is the same with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and their importance. In many organisations in Africa, sustainable development and the SDGs are not part of the mainstream agenda but side shows that get very little if any serious attention. Some leaders and managers in these organisations still view sustainability and environmental stewardship as a favour they are doing in the name of "corporate social responsibility".
Donor Politics and Environmental Politics
Africa's sustainable development is also undermined by "donor politics" and environmental politics. Some governments recent "donors" whom they accuse of setting up citizens against their governments. On the other hand, financial support for sustainable development work by international organisations and donor- governments is also constrained politics related conditions.
The main challenge here is that why some African governments reject financial support "donor", they do not them use their own funds to implement the sustainable development initiatives, projects and programs.
Environmental politics are so powerful in their ability to stall or propel sustainable development progress. The raging political debate between Africa and the developed world is around financing, with Africa arguing that the developed world must compensate Africa for the damage the continent incurred in the process of development by the developed world. This demand is often met with some push backs and progress is stalled in the process.
The Will to Do
After all has been said, the biggest question is;
"How committed is Africa to its own sustainable development, to the UN 17 Sustainable Development Goals and to making sustainable development a reality?
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?Simon Bere 2025