This year’s report represents a transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the new continental and global sustainable development agenda: African Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The report takes stock of Africa’s performance on the MDGs and reflects on the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The momentum gained and bottlenecks identified by countries in their progress towards the MDGs will
invariably influence their performance on the new global development framework. Our stocktaking analysis of Africa’s performance on the MDGs reveals that while performance has been uneven among countries, progress generally accelerated in the latter years of the MDG era. Nonetheless, there is also concerning evidence of performance reversals, particularly in the health sector. Furthermore, the adverse impact of extreme weather conditions due to climate change are an imminent threat to Africa’s hard won development gains. These developments raise questions about the sustainability of the progress achieved to date and reinforce the call for structural transformation and a sustainable approach to development.

In this context, the adoption of Africa’s Agenda 2063 in January 2015 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September of the same year was both timely and appropriate. Both Agendas will shape the development pathway of Africa for the foreseeable future, particularly its aspirations for sustained and inclusive economic growth, poverty eradication and structural transformation.