Trade, Revenue Mobilisation and Financing Take Centre Stage in Africa’s 2030 Development Push

Domestic revenue mobilisation, sustainable financing, trade and technology are becoming increasingly important to Africa’s ability to deliver its 2030 development agenda, according to the 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report.

The report, jointly produced by the African Union, African Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, assesses progress under Sustainable Development Goal 17 on partnerships and the means of implementation.

Statistical capacity provides one area of progress

Africa’s statistical-capacity target is assessed as on track. Most other SDG 17 targets require faster progress, while domestic resource mobilisation, debt sustainability, trade and technology transfer are identified as areas where recent trends need to be reversed.

Domestic revenue can strengthen development financing

Improving domestic revenue mobilisation can give governments more predictable resources for infrastructure, health, education and climate investment while reducing excessive dependence on external financing.

The challenge is particularly significant in economies where informal activity remains high and tax administrations must balance revenue reforms with affordability, investment and competitiveness.

Trade and technology can widen the economic base

Stronger productive sectors, exports and technology adoption can expand the economic base from which countries create jobs, attract investment and mobilise revenue.

The report highlights deeper regional integration through the African Continental Free Trade Area, stronger productive capacity and improved policy coordination as important elements of a more resilient development-financing model.

Partnerships remain central to 2030

With fiscal pressures and borrowing costs affecting many economies, the report reinforces the importance of combining domestic reforms with regional integration, technology partnerships and more effective mobilisation of public and private capital.

Source: 2026 Africa Sustainable Development Report, jointly produced by the African Union, African Development Bank, UNDP and UNECA.