Africa’s Response to SDGs: Barriers and Challenges

Abstract

Increased attention has been given to sustainable development issues globally. Similarly, African nations are increasing their effort to achieve the set goals for sustainable development. This is to aid them to improve the standards of living of its citizens. However, in their attempt to implement these goals, several challenges have been encountered as a result of their dependency on foreign aid and grants, among other external forms of financing. This research, therefore, explores the key barriers facing the implementation of SDGs in Africa. This objective is achieved via a review of the literature using dependence theory to unpin the study. The findings suggest that limited control of resources, over-dependence on foreign aid, poverty heightened by income inequality, demographic pressures, poor governance and corruption, environmental degradation, and lack of data and information are key barriers affecting SDGs and their implementation. The research recommends that further studies should test the proposed conceptual framework.