The following was contributed by ASFL local coordinator Babajide Oluwase 

Recently, the world unanimously declared their support for the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), at a summit of the world leaders, just as they did the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) some 15 years back. Though the newly adopted goals are much broader and more comprehensive than the MDGs they replaced.
Basically, the SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, eliminate inequalities, and protect environmental resources for economic and social development. No doubt, these are bold attempts to set the development agenda for the next 15 years. But they are just goals. Beyond declaration, we need to collectively possess the Global Goals, specifically for actions.

How do we go about this?

A good way to start is by aligning the SDGs with long term national goals, just as Botswana did in its Post-2015 Development Agenda termed ‘Transforming our World; The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’. The adoption of these indicators in line with national plan will absolutely usher in additional demands on statistical agencies to provide timely data to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of SDGs in African countries. This is certainly a good way to start.

However, the most important aspect of this process is its implementation. The possibility of SDGs being viewed as just another excuse to ensure inflow of Official Development Assistance (ODA), majorly in form of foreign aid from developed countries can’t be overemphasized. A quick reflection will help realize that, reliance on aid to guarantee our dignity through MDGs was a huge mistake. Therefore, raising more funds to bridge Africa’s resource gap without stopping the outflow of cash and smart money is like pouring water into a weaved basket. A system that was tagged as the leaking Africa’s begging bowl by George Ayittey. Without mincing words, foreign aid will only impede the economic growth needed to achieve the SDGs in Africa.

In the course of tackling poverty, we have seen it all. We had the IMF and World Bank engineered structural adjustment programmes that occasioned increased suffering on so many African countries. Nigeria as a member state of the United Nations (UN), has a population of over 170 million people out of which 70% are presently living below the U.N classified poverty, with unemployment rate of 25%. This implies that about 119 million Nigerians are still living in poverty. It is very important for Africa to determine right from now, on how the SDGs will be financed. Trading smart and engaging with international community in a profitable way as partners is considered a good move. There is a direct link between poverty eradication and the growth of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs). The roles and relevance of SMEs have been recognized in developed economies as a tool for economic growth and development, poverty eradication and improved standard of living. Major economic drivers in the world attain such height through effective use of SMEs.

To ensure a meaningful, sustainable development and eradication of poverty, major constraints to SMEs’ growth in Nigeria, and other African countries must be removed to foster creativity. Indubitably, creativity is the major catalyst that fuels SMEs and keeps the sector alive. However, creativity can only thrive in an atmosphere void of limitations and barriers. Therefore, new policies and strategic programmes must be designed to emphasize the importance of wealth creation, individual freedom, self and gainful employment, and conducive operating environment. In my opinion, Africa don’t really need any U.N programmes/plans to achieve all these. Africans are authors of their own development, and must embrace the opportunity.

Above all, the attainment of the global goals by 2030 will be dependent on the quality of governance in Africa, and this quality is recognized as fundamental to ensuring more refined and articulated means of implementing these goals. Now more than ever, there needs to be a change in governance process and institutions within Africa. There is need for interdependence, which means that African countries need to enhance favourable relationships with each other to foster positive exchanges especially in trade. One of the best means to achieve this is to open up our border system and encourage inter-nation transactions with minimal regulations and controls.

The vision and commitment to create a strong and prosperous Africa, starts with sharing values emanating from common belief of Africans in democracy, respect for the rule of law, human rights and good governance, and creation of strong impartial institutions. It is timely as the dream of ‘African Unity’ is becoming nearer to realization with the quickening pace of integration of the continent. African countries should look forward to embark on new avenues of collaboration with one another, to bridge the wide gap existing in the continent.
The effectiveness of the global goals lie in the quality of how they are implemented by the member states, and Africa must not be left out in the process. The time for action is now.