African Rural Development Network
(POSITION PAPER)
African Rural Development Network
(POSITION PAPER)
ARDN
Five Years to 2030: What the SDG Deadline Really Means for Rural Africa
Authors: Damilola Olajubutu, Theophilus Nkansah, and Abigail Iyilade
Publication Date: December 2025
With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, this position paper examines what the Sustainable Development Goals truly mean for rural Africa. Drawing on verified data from the 2024 SDG Report and authoritative sources, we reveal that only 17% of SDG targets globally are on track, while rural Africa faces exacerbated challenges: 46% extreme poverty rates, 600 million without electricity, and systemic exclusion of rural women despite producing 80% of the continent's food. The paper argues for a fundamentally different approach: A Rural-first Approach, and presents recommendations for governments, donors, civil society, and rural communities themselves.
ARDN
Five Years to 2030: What the SDG Deadline Really Means for Rural Africa
Authors: Damilola Olajubutu, Theophilus Nkansah, and Abigail Iyilade
Publication Date: December 2025
With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline, this position paper examines what the Sustainable Development Goals truly mean for rural Africa. Drawing on verified data from the 2024 SDG Report and authoritative sources, we reveal that only 17% of SDG targets globally are on track, while rural Africa faces exacerbated challenges: 46% extreme poverty rates, 600 million without electricity, and systemic exclusion of rural women despite producing 80% of the continent's food. The paper argues for a fundamentally different approach: A Rural-first Approach, and presents recommendations for governments, donors, civil society, and rural communities themselves.
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About ARDN
The African Rural Development Network (ARDN) is a continent-wide community of practice committed to advancing rural development in Africa through knowledge sharing, cross-border learning, policy advocacy, and the implementation of sustainable development solutions.
The African Rural Development Network (ARDN) is convened by the Rural Nurture Initiative (RNI).
