AU Launches Key 2025 Development Report, Calls for Urgent Action on Africa’s Growth Goals

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NEW YORK: The African Union (AU) has unveiled its 2025 Africa Sustainable Development Report, offering a critical review of progress made toward the continent’s development targets under the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda.

The report was launched during the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in New York, marking “Africa Day” at the global event. AU officials emphasized the need for accelerated, inclusive action to meet the continent’s social and economic goals.

“This report gives us a clear picture of where we stand and what must urgently be done,” said Botho Kebabonye Bayendi, Director of Strategic Planning and Delivery at the AU Commission, who moderated the launch.

The findings are based on the Eleventh Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD), held in Kampala in April 2025. That forum reviewed Africa’s performance on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including health, gender equality, economic growth, marine ecosystems, and global partnerships.

The Kampala Declaration, adopted at the forum, urged bold, science-driven, and inclusive policies to drive job creation and sustainable economic growth across Africa.

Bayendi noted that the scale of the development challenge calls for stronger collaboration among governments, youth, the private sector, and development institutions. “The stakes are high, and collective action is non-negotiable,” she said.

The report, backed by the latest data, is intended to guide African governments in formulating evidence-based strategies. Its relevance spans the continent, including countries like Somalia, where national development plans are aligned with the AU’s vision of “The Africa We Want.”

The AU’s launch signals a unified African voice on global platforms, advocating for greater investment, stronger partnerships, and renewed commitment to building resilient, inclusive economies.