SDGs 2030: UN Urges Africa Governments, Private Sector To Invest In People 

The United Nations has urged African governments, the private sector and development partners to increase investments in people, mobilise sustainable financing and strengthen partnerships to accelerate the continent’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The UN made the call at the Africa Social Impact Summit 2026 in Lagos on Saturday, where the UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, who represented the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms Wafaa Saeed, said Africa’s development prospects hinged on unlocking the potential of its people.

In a statement issued in Abuja by the National Information Officer, UN Information Centre, Oluseyi Soremekun, Mafico said governments and stakeholders must prioritise people-centred investments capable of creating opportunities and building resilience across communities.

“The wealth of a nation is not measured by what it extracts from the ground. It is measured by what it unlocks in its people,” she said.

Mafico said the summit came at a critical period for Africa, noting that conversations around development financing must focus on expanding opportunities for individuals and communities.

She identified slowing economic growth, rising debt burdens, declining development assistance, climate-related disasters and persistent conflicts as major threats to Africa’s development ambitions.

According to her, only 36 per cent of the SDG targets are currently on track or making moderate progress, while developing countries continue to face a widening financing gap.

Despite the challenges, Mafico said Africa had the resources and capacity to determine its development trajectory.

“With less than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, we must act with greater urgency, solidarity and ambition,” she said.

The UNFPA representative also highlighted Nigeria’s large youthful population, describing it as one of the country’s greatest assets.

She said strategic investment in young Nigerians could position the country as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.

Mafico, however, warned that failure to adequately invest in young people could worsen inequality and limit opportunities for future generations.

She further called on African countries to prioritise home-grown solutions and strengthen national leadership in driving sustainable development.

“No country can outsource its development. No nation can import resilience,” she said.

She stressed that international partnerships should complement national efforts rather than substitute for them.

Mafico called for a fundamental transformation in development financing through greater mobilisation of private capital, stronger domestic resource mobilisation, support for entrepreneurship and innovation, increased investment in women and young people, and the use of technology to expand economic and social opportunities.

She said development partnerships must remain focused on delivering measurable improvements in the lives of ordinary people.

According to her, the United Nations is already collaborating with the Nigerian government, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector in areas including institutional strengthening, social protection, food systems transformation, renewable energy, digital innovation, education, and opportunities for women and young people.

Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to the principle of leaving no one behind, Mafico urged stakeholders to move beyond declarations and translate their commitments into tangible action.

She said Africa remained rich in talent, ideas, entrepreneurship and youthful energy but needed to mobilise sufficient capital to match its enormous potential.

Mafico urged participants at the summit to ensure that its success would ultimately be measured not by the discussions held, but by the partnerships created, investments unlocked and concrete actions taken to build a more prosperous, resilient and inclusive Africa.