Future Africa seminar examines how political interests impact the pursuit of SDGs

On 20 September 2024, the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa hosted an insightful seminar as part of its Sustainability Transformations Challenge Agenda. Led by Professor Maano Ramutsindela, who holds a joint chair between the University of Cape Town and the University of Pretoria (UP), this seminar kicked off a series of discussions on the intersection of politics and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

The lecture was delivered by Dan Banik, a Professor of Political Science and Director of the Oslo SDG Initiative at the University of Oslo. He also serves as an Extraordinary Professor at UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences. In his address, Prof Banik examined how political interests often impede meaningful progress towards achieving SDGs.

In his opening remarks, Professor Ramutsindela stressed the importance of academic partnerships in advancing global discussions on sustainable development. He highlighted the collaboration between UP and the University of Oslo in jointly leading the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence (CoRE) , which focuses on “The Politics of Sustainable Development”. This programme aims to create knowledge about governance for sustainable development and to train at least 160 PhD students at African universities over the next ten years.

Politics and SDGs: A Delicate Balance

Professor Banik began his lecture by providing a historical overview of the SDGs, reflecting on the optimism that accompanied their adoption in 2015. He noted, “At the time, we had great hopes of integrating development with environmental and climate change efforts.”

The SDGs were designed to address pressing global challenges, such as poverty, climate action, and sustainable economic growth. Prof Banik highlighted that while the private sector and civil society have largely embraced these goals, political factors often sideline their full realisation, leading to uneven progress.

He argued that the narrative surrounding sustainable development is often framed as a “win-win” scenario, which neglects the complexities and conflicts that arise in political contexts. Prof Banik explained that the way SDGs have been discussed over the past nine years is flawed. This presents sustainable development as a simple solution, posing significant challenges in achieving the SDGs because it overlooks the political dimensions that play out at both the national and global levels.

National and Global Case Studies

Prof Banik provided insights into how different countries have attempted to operationalise the SDGs. He cited examples from China, India, and Rwanda, explaining how these countries’ leaders have used the SDGs to further national agendas. However, he questioned whether these efforts were politically motivated or genuinely aimed at sustainable development. For example, he highlighted how the SDGs were timely for some politicians, allowing them to promote green transitions when traditional development promises were hard to fulfil.

Prof Banik also stressed that while civil society and youth movements have embraced the SDGs, political parties have been slower to engage. “We don’t see political parties, especially mainstream ones, fully embracing sustainable development,” he said. He noted that while some green parties in Europe have gained traction, their focus on climate change has become diluted as other political groups begin to adopt similar rhetoric, often without meaningful action.

Politics, Trade-offs, and the Path Forward

Prof Banik argued that political realities—such as national elections, economic policies, and international relations—frequently derail progress on the SDGs. He challenged the oversimplified “win-win” narrative that dominates sustainable development discourse, noting that real progress requires grappling with difficult trade-offs. For example, balancing economic growth with environmental protection demands tough, context-specific decisions that often conflict with short-term political interests.

The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage with Prof Banik on topics such as collective action, the role of the private sector, and the intersection of sustainability and national policies. This engaging dialogue highlighted the critical need for continuous discussions about the political aspects of sustainable development.

For further insights, you can watch the seminar recording HERE.