Supporting the Measurement of Sustainable Development Goals in Africa: Geospatial Sentiment Data Analysis

Abstract

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) launched an ambitious set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Achieving these far-reaching goals requires effective tracking of progress across 169 targets and over 230 indicators. Furthermore, adopted in 2015, Africa Agenda 2063 is a strategic framework developed by the African Union (AU) to optimize the use of the continent’s resources for sustainable and inclusive growth. It aims to deliver on key aspirations shared by African nations including a high standard of living, well-educated citizens, good governance, strong cultural identity, and Africa’s strong voice in global affairs. Built around 20 goals and seven priority areas, Agenda 2063 provides a shared vision and roadmap for socioeconomic transformation in Africa over the next 50 years. However, numerous countries in Africa face considerable challenges in collecting, timely, granular, high-quality data to adequately monitor SDG metrics. Traditional data sources like surveys and administrative records often have gaps, especially at subnational levels. As a result, national statistics offices, particularly in Africa, lack the data needed to properly inform SDG-related policies and interventions.