Socioeconomic and environmental determinants of Sustainable Development Goals performance in Africa

Abstract

Africa faces complex, interrelated socioeconomic and environmental challenges, resulting in uneven progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Empirical evidence on how socioeconomic and environmental factors jointly influence SDG performance across African countries is limited. This study examines the determinants of SDG Dashboard performance using cross-country data from 54 African countries drawn from the 2025 Sustainable Development Report and the World Bank's World Development Indicators, applying descriptive statistics and ordered logistic regression, grounded in sustainable development theory. Descriptively, Central Africa shows high poverty and low female labor participation, while Eastern and Western Africa display moderate but variable poverty and employment. Regression results indicate several socioeconomic and environmental factors are significant (p < 0.05 and p < 0.10), with model fit R² = 0.33 to 0.70. Social vulnerabilities, including poverty and child mortality, are positively associated with performance in several goals, notably SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 17 (Partnership for Goals), reflecting the effects of targeted social interventions. Service-sector expansion and employment growth support performance in education, gender equality, energy access, decent work, and sustainable cities, aligning with SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). In contrast, rapid financial expansion, industrial activity, energy inefficiency, and biodiversity loss constrain performance in goals where inclusiveness and environmental safeguards are weak, particularly SDG 5, SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Overall, the results underscore that sustained SDG performance in Africa depends on a balanced integration of social inclusion, economic development, and environmental protection. The study highlights the need for strengthening social investments, including cash and food transfers; awareness campaigns, including financial and labor market participation inclusivity; and closer alignment of industrialization with environmental standards through integrated SDG planning and monitoring frameworks.