The Politics of Sustainability takes the spotlight at Future Africa’s roundtable discussion

On 1 October 2024, the politics of sustainability took centre stage at a roundtable hosted by Future Africa and the University of Oslo, co-leads of the Africa-Europe Cluster of Research Excellence: The Politics of Sustainable Development: Squaring the Circle of Science and Democracy.

Held during the inaugural Africa-Europe Clusters of Research Excellence (CoRE) at Stellenbosch University from 29 September to 2 October 2024 , the roundtable explored how power dynamics, historical contexts, and regional realities shape sustainability narratives in Africa.

Led and chaired by Professor Maano Ramutsindela, Future Africa Research Chair in Sustainability Transformations (a joint chair with the University of Cape Town), the panel included insights from Dr Heide Hackmann of Stellenbosch University and Associate Professor Aklilu Amsalu from Addis Ababa University. The discussions explored Africa’s potential to redefine sustainability through a distinctly African lens while balancing autonomy against the influence of global frameworks and external funding.

Shaping African Sustainability: Autonomy vs External Influence

At the core of the discussion was the influence of foreign funding and global frameworks—such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—on shaping sustainability policies and research questions in Africa. Professor Ramutsindela questioned whether externally driven policies align with Africa’s unique priorities, asking, “Whose interests are being served by these policies?” He highlighted the need for policies grounded in African contexts, asserting that sustainable policy must be built with, not imposed on, African communities.”
Dr Hackmann raised concerns that global frameworks may prioritise external agendas over local interests, calling for greater transparency and stronger African representation in policymaking. Echoing this, Associate Professor Amsalu noted, “The politics of sustainability often benefits those who shape it.” He called for more inclusive policies, built upon African voices and regional needs.

Balancing Global and Regional Sustainability Goals

The panelists further explored whether global sustainability goals align with African frameworks such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Dr Hackmann questioned the prominence of the SDGs in driving African research and funding, asking, “Do these global goals genuinely address Africa’s most pressing issues, or do they mainly serve external interests?” Associate Professor Amsalu suggested that Agenda 2063 is better suited to Africa’s needs, though it often yields to global standards due to external pressures.

Redefining Sustainability to Address Economic Realities

The panelists emphasised that sustainability in Africa must account for socio-economic realities specific to the continent. Professor Ramutsindela referenced a recent statement by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who highlighted socio-economic transformation as a priority. Reflecting on this, Prof Ramutsindela posed a question central to the discussion: “Should sustainability in Africa focus on immediate survival needs or long-term environmental goals?” The sentiment was echoed by other panelists, who stressed that economic upliftment is essential alongside environmental goals in defining a sustainable Africa.

Engaging Communities and Looking Forward

Attendees brought valuable perspectives to the discussion, questioning the practicality of global frameworks in communities where basic needs remain unmet. Citing Afrobarometer’s data, it was noted that while citizens look to the government for climate action, socio-economic challenges often limit grassroots engagement. This dialogue underscored the importance of policies that balance global aspirations with local realities, ensuring relevance and accessibility for communities across Africa.

In closing, Professor Ramutsindela affirmed that sustainability should be “a process of empowerment and self-determination for communities.” The roundtable highlighted that while global frameworks offer valuable benchmarks, genuine sustainability demands regional autonomy and community engagement.

The full summary of the roundtable discussion is attached below: