LAGOS (SUNDIATA POST)- Mr Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission of Africa (ECA), has called for a bold action to achieve sustainable development in Africa.
Getafe, in a statement by ECA on Wednesday, made the call during his address at the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) in Kampala.
Speaking under the theme of “Job creation and economic growth through sustainable solutions”, Gatete stressed the urgency with just five years left to meet the 2030 Agenda goals.
He praised Uganda’s hospitality and President Museveni’s commitment to Africa’s development, while recognising the role of key partners, including the African Union Commission and UN system.
Gatete warned that Africa’s structural vulnerabilities – from debt to climate shocks – threaten progress, with public debt now at 64.3 per cent of GDP.
He noted Africa’s GDP growth hovers at just 3 per cent, far short of the 7 per cent required to meet SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
“Traditional aid can no longer suffice,” he said, urging evidence-based, inclusive investment in people and institutions to drive transformation.
“Out of 144 SDG targets, only 10 are on track, while 106 lag and 28 are regressing. This pace is unacceptable,” he warned.
He called for action on five SDGs: health, gender equality, decent work, life below water and partnerships, linking them with AU Agenda 2063 targets.
On health, he noted four in five African nations spend under $86 per person—far below the WHO’s $249 minimum—calling for increased domestic investment.
On gender equality, Gatete decried low women’s representation in leadership and a 12 per cent gender gap in mobile finance, stressing inclusive policies and access.
He described Africa’s informal workforce and unemployment crisis as dire, calling for skills training, job formalisation and entrepreneurship support to harness labour potential.
Gatete highlighted the blue economy’s potential, with projected growth from $296 billion in 2018 to $576 billion by 2063, but only 3.5 per cent of SDG funding.
Illegal fishing costs Africa $10 billion yearly, he said, urging investment in aquaculture, blue carbon and coastal tourism, citing Seychelles’ and Gabon’s debt-for-nature swaps.
On SDG 17, Gatete stressed Africa cannot succeed in isolation and must build strong global, regional and national partnerships to meet development targets.
He proposed four key strategies: raise domestic revenue, attract private capital, expand inclusive finance, and fully implement the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Tackling illicit financial flows, currently costing Africa $89 billion a year, could unlock critical resources for the continent’s development, he said.
He urged unlocking private sector investments using credit guarantees, blended finance and deepening capital markets to finance renewable energy and agriculture.
Also, as women and youth face steep barriers to finance, Gatete called for scaled-up microfinance, impact investing and digital inclusion to empower marginalised groups.
Gatete championed AfCFTA as a path to raise Intra-African trade by 45 per cent and spark growth in industry, agriculture, services and job creation.
He urged investment in AI, blockchain and digital policy, saying an AU Protocol on Digital Trade could revolutionise commerce and job creation continent-wide.
Gatete emphasised that bold leadership, decisive policies and strong partnerships are crucial to deliver on the SDGs and Africa’s development agenda.
“The clock is ticking.
“Together, we can deliver the Africa we want,” he said. (NAN)
