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UN urges Africa to invest in people to meet 2030 goals

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The UN urges African governments and the private sector to increase investments in people to meet 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Ms. Muriel Mafico stated Africa's future depends on unlocking its people's potential through people-centered investments.
  • The UN warned that development ambitions are threatened by economic slowdown, debt, climate disasters, and conflicts, with only 36% of SDG targets on track.

The United Nations has issued a strong call to African governments, the private sector, and development partners to significantly boost investments in people. This push is aimed at accelerating progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit in Lagos, Ms. Muriel Mafico, UNFPA Representative in Nigeria, stressed that Africa's future hinges on unlocking the potential of its population through bold, people-centered strategies.

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.

— Ms. Muriel MaficoUNFPA Representative in Nigeria, speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit.

Mafico articulated the UN's vision: ensuring every child receives an education, every young person finds meaningful employment, every woman realizes her full potential, and every community builds resilience against future shocks. "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 declared, highlighting the summit's critical timing.

However, the UN official cautioned that Africa's development aspirations face significant threats. These include slowing economic growth, escalating debt burdens, declining development assistance, climate-related disasters, and ongoing conflicts. Current findings indicate that only 36% of SDG targets are on track or progressing moderately, with a widening financing gap for developing nations.

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

— Ms. Muriel MaficoUNFPA Representative in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for immediate action on SDGs.

Despite these challenges, Mafico expressed confidence in the continent's capacity to shape its destiny. She urged greater urgency and ambition, particularly noting Nigeria's youthful population as a key asset that could be transformed into a global hub for innovation and inclusive economic growth through targeted investments. "No country can outsource its development. No nation can import resilience," she asserted, emphasizing the need for home-grown solutions and strong national leadership to drive development.

No country can outsource its development. No nation can import resilience.

— Ms. Muriel MaficoUNFPA Representative in Nigeria, stressing the importance of national leadership in development.
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Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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