Research Theme 3
🌱 Sustainability & Development
Investigating the pathways to long-term, planet-centred development across Africa
About This Research Theme
Africa faces a dual challenge: meeting the immediate development needs of a rapidly growing population while navigating growing environmental pressures including climate change, land degradation and biodiversity loss. This research theme examines how African countries can pursue development pathways that are both inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
We explore Africa’s progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, the intersection of environment and economic development, and what it will take to build economies that work for both people and planet — now and for future generations.
Topics Covered
- 🌱 Sustainable Development Goals
- 🌍 Environment & Climate
- ⚡ Green Economy
- 🌾 Land & Biodiversity
- 💧 Water Resources
Latest Research: Sustainability & Development
Our most recent work on sustainable development, environment and the SDGs across Africa.
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Between elite power and social mobilisation in Nigeria
By Bolaji Ogunfemi ‘Leave no one behind’ is the catchphrase of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. As development challenges…
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Sub-Saharan Africa and achieving the SDG target for drinking water
Achieving universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 is a target of the…
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Why Every Emergency Ends Up at a Teaching Hospital: Nigeria’s Broken Referral System
By Bolaji Ogunfemi In late May 2026, a new Children’s Emergency Ward was commissioned with fanfare at the Adeoyo State…
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A Negligent Discharge: How an Unfounded Foreign-Aid Claim Endangered Mozambique’s HIV Response
By Bolaji Ogunfemi A negligent discharge occurs when a weapon is fired unintentionally because the person controlling it fails to…
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Climate Resilience in Africa: Six Priorities for an Era of Rising Risk and Falling Aid
By Bolaji Ogunfemi Between 2005 and 2024, climate-related disasters disrupted the schooling of 130 million children in Eastern and Southern…
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Sociology and its imperatives for human development in Africa
By Bolaji Ogunfemi A great many people will agree that the individual is to society what people are to human…
Explore Other Research Themes
Our research spans governance, people and services, and human development across Africa.

