The United Nations has urged African governments, the private sector and development partners to increase investments in people, strengthen partnerships and mobilise sustainable financing to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Speaking at the Africa Social Impact Summit 2026 in Lagos on Saturday, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Representative in Nigeria, Ms Muriel Mafico, who represented the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Ms Wafaa Saeed, said Africa’s future depends on unlocking the potential of its people through bold, people-centred investments.
In a statement issued in Abuja by the National Information Officer of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Oluseyi Soremekun, the UN emphasised that every child should have access to quality education, every young person should have opportunities for decent employment, every woman should be empowered to reach her full potential, and every community should be resilient enough to withstand 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,” Mafico said.
She described the summit as timely, noting that conversations around development financing must prioritise expanding opportunities for people and communities across the continent.
According to Mafico, Africa’s development aspirations are under increasing pressure from slowing economic growth, mounting debt burdens, declining development assistance, climate-related disasters and persistent conflicts.
She cited recent findings showing that only 36 per cent of the SDG targets are currently on track or making moderate progress, while the financing gap facing developing countries continues to widen.
Despite these challenges, Mafico expressed confidence in Africa’s ability to shape its own future.
“With less than five years remaining to achieve the 2030 Agenda, we must act with greater urgency, solidarity and ambition,” she said.
Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic advantage, Mafico described the country’s youthful population as one of its greatest assets, saying strategic investments in young people could position Nigeria as a global hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and inclusive economic growth.
She warned, however, that neglecting such investments would widen inequality and limit opportunities for future generations.
The UN official also called on African countries to prioritise home-grown solutions and demonstrate stronger national leadership in driving sustainable development.
“No country can outsource its development. No nation can import resilience,” she said, adding that international partnerships should complement, rather than replace, national efforts.
She advocated a fundamental shift in development financing through greater mobilisation of private capital, stronger domestic resource mobilisation, support for entrepreneurship and innovation, increased investment in women and young people, and the use of technology to expand economic opportunities.
Mafico stressed that development partnerships must remain focused on delivering measurable improvements in people’s lives.
She noted that the United Nations is already collaborating with governments, civil society organisations, development partners and the private sector in Nigeria to accelerate progress in institutional strengthening, social protection, food systems transformation, renewable energy, digital innovation, education, and economic opportunities for women and young people.
Reaffirming the UN’s commitment to leaving no one behind, Mafico urged stakeholders to move beyond commitments and translate promises into concrete action.
She expressed confidence in Africa’s vast potential, describing the continent as rich in talent, innovation, entrepreneurship and energy, while stressing the need to mobilise capital that matches its ambitions.
Mafico urged participants to ensure the summit would be remembered not only for its discussions but for the partnerships forged, investments unlocked and collective action taken to build a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.
