1.2.17 SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SDG17 has three major elements namely finance, technology and systemic issues. In
terms of finance, despite the gradual increase in ODA flows over the past decades,
there has been a leveling and slight decline since 2016 (net ODA decreased by 2.7%
between 2016 and 2018) (UN 2019). However, comparatively less aid was sent to
SSA countries, with the net flows falling by 4% in the same period (UN 2019). In
terms of technology, despite significant expansion in the number of broadband
connections and internet users across the continent (Sect. 1.2.9), the overall access
for most SSA countries fall well below global averages (Mahler et al. 2018; ITU,
2019). When it comes to systemic issues, in 2015 more than half of SSA countries
had a national statistical plan that was fully funded and under implementation
11
(SDG Centre for Africa 2019). Despite this fraction being lower compared to global
standards, it shows positive signs in terms of statistical development and capacity,
especially considering that the number of SSA countries with adequate data for some
SDG indicators increased significantly between 2000 and 2015 (UNECA, 2018). A
recently developed composite measure of the quality of national statistical systems
and related capacity across three domains (i.e. methodology, source data, periodicity) suggests that 21 SSA countries rank above the global average (SDG Centre for
Africa 2019).
Some of the key elements for catalysing meaningful progress for SDG17 include
(a) the development of strong and effective partnerships, (b) the ability to mobilize
and use funds effectively (both domestic and international) and (c) the development
and implementation of proper tracking mechanisms. However, as for many other
SDGs, an interconnected set of challenges related to high corruption, low capacity
and a lack of resources pose major barriers for achieving the aforementioned
elements.
Regarding (a) it has been argued that effective partnerships for SDG17 should
link multiple stakeholders from the national/local governments, international community, civil society and the private sector, among others (Haywood et al. 2018).
This includes public–private partnership (PPP) that can play a multi-faceted role in
supporting economic growth and delivering infrastructure solutions (Dykes and
Jones 2016) (Sects. 1.2.6–1.2.9). However, weak institutions, conflicts and other
institutional failures often put obstacles in the formation of trust and an enabling
environment for meaningful collaboration between such stakeholders (Sect. 1.2.16).
For example, public mistrust (El-Gohary et al. 2006), corruption (Babatunde et al.
2015) and other social conflicts pose major challenges that can derail otherwise
useful development projects developed through PPPs (Dykes and Jones 2016).
Regarding (b), corruption and lack of capacity pose major challenges for the
mobilization and effective use of domestic and international funds. For example,
they can put obstacles in the development and effective implementation of national
11 This includes 10 out of 13 East African countries, 6 out of 15 West African countries and 9 out of
12 Southern African countries (SDG Centre for Africa 2019).
36
D. Juju et al.
SDG17 has three major elements namely finance, technology and systemic issues. In
terms of finance, despite the gradual increase in ODA flows over the past decades,
there has been a leveling and slight decline since 2016 (net ODA decreased by 2.7%
between 2016 and 2018) (UN 2019). However, comparatively less aid was sent to
SSA countries, with the net flows falling by 4% in the same period (UN 2019). In
terms of technology, despite significant expansion in the number of broadband
connections and internet users across the continent (Sect. 1.2.9), the overall access
for most SSA countries fall well below global averages (Mahler et al. 2018; ITU,
2019). When it comes to systemic issues, in 2015 more than half of SSA countries
had a national statistical plan that was fully funded and under implementation
11
(SDG Centre for Africa 2019). Despite this fraction being lower compared to global
standards, it shows positive signs in terms of statistical development and capacity,
especially considering that the number of SSA countries with adequate data for some
SDG indicators increased significantly between 2000 and 2015 (UNECA, 2018). A
recently developed composite measure of the quality of national statistical systems
and related capacity across three domains (i.e. methodology, source data, periodicity) suggests that 21 SSA countries rank above the global average (SDG Centre for
Africa 2019).
Some of the key elements for catalysing meaningful progress for SDG17 include
(a) the development of strong and effective partnerships, (b) the ability to mobilize
and use funds effectively (both domestic and international) and (c) the development
and implementation of proper tracking mechanisms. However, as for many other
SDGs, an interconnected set of challenges related to high corruption, low capacity
and a lack of resources pose major barriers for achieving the aforementioned
elements.
Regarding (a) it has been argued that effective partnerships for SDG17 should
link multiple stakeholders from the national/local governments, international community, civil society and the private sector, among others (Haywood et al. 2018).
This includes public–private partnership (PPP) that can play a multi-faceted role in
supporting economic growth and delivering infrastructure solutions (Dykes and
Jones 2016) (Sects. 1.2.6–1.2.9). However, weak institutions, conflicts and other
institutional failures often put obstacles in the formation of trust and an enabling
environment for meaningful collaboration between such stakeholders (Sect. 1.2.16).
For example, public mistrust (El-Gohary et al. 2006), corruption (Babatunde et al.
2015) and other social conflicts pose major challenges that can derail otherwise
useful development projects developed through PPPs (Dykes and Jones 2016).
Regarding (b), corruption and lack of capacity pose major challenges for the
mobilization and effective use of domestic and international funds. For example,
they can put obstacles in the development and effective implementation of national
11 This includes 10 out of 13 East African countries, 6 out of 15 West African countries and 9 out of
12 Southern African countries (SDG Centre for Africa 2019).
36
D. Juju et al.