SDG Center for Africa

SDGCA showcases the MRS for SDGs and signs MoU with Ministry of National planning in Lusaka

African countries are required to report progress on the implementation of the development agendas 2030 and 2063. The success of the global agenda for SDGs, regional commitments and national priorities highly depends on efficient and robust Monitoring and Reporting System (MRS) for its progress. Operationalization and ultimate achievement of the SDGs, African Union (AU) agenda 2063 aspirations and regional commitments at the country level requires clear baselines, public discussions about implementation priorities, the design of goal-based strategies, and effective follow-through mechanisms.

This in turn depends on comprehensive, timely, relevant and reliable data being available to inform and guide planning and policy design processes. However, according to the 2017 Africa Sustainable Development Goals report: Tracking Progress on Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals, approximately six out of every ten SDG indicators cannot be tracked in Africa due to severe data limitations and disparities in capacities of National Statistical Systems for data compilation at national and regional level. Furthermore, available evidence from the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) also show that most countries lack official statistics and disaggregated data to measure the progress of their SDGs indicator framework.

To address the SDGs data gaps and challenges related to SDGs monitoring and reporting in Africa, the SDGCA for Africa developed the Continental Monitoring and Reporting System (MRS). As part of the strategy to assist SADC member states bridge data gaps and improve performance in SDGs monitoring and reporting, the SDGCA Center for Southern Africa working in collaboration with the Ministry of National Development Planning in Zambia showcased the MRS to the Zambian government in Lusaka at Taj Pamodzi Hotel, on 8^th April 2021. The MRS showcasing workshop was officiated by Permanent Secretary, Mr. Trevor Kaunda in charge of Development Cooperation, Monitoring and Evaluation in the Ministry of National Development Planning (MNDP). The SDGCA intends to rollout the MRS not only in Zambia but also to all SADC member states in effort to strengthen regional SDGs monitoring and reporting mechanisms.

At the same event, the Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of National Development Planning (MNDP) in order to strengthen collaboration in the implementation and delivery of SDGs in Zambia.

Additionally, apart from the role out of the MRS, The SDGCA for Southern Africa has a number of ongoing flagship projects in the region. Some of the key projects include:

agricultural transformation through Optimal Pilot Project;
revitalization of National Development Banks (NDBs);
innovative and Sustainable SDG Financing Mechanisms;
development of Energy Mix Pathways for Sustainable Development;
robust livelihoods improvements in Zambia through Farmer Cooperatives: Application of Water-Energy-Food Nexus Systems;
technical and quality assurance support on empowering policies and strategies around MSMEs, Citizen Economic Empowerment, Local Content and Cooperatives.

This is in line with the SDGCA for Southern Africa's overall goal of supporting Southern African countries in implementing and accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on regional priorities and addressing the challenges.