The Spatial Spillover Effects of Public Sector Transparency on Advancing Africa's Sustainable Development Goals

ABSTRACT Africa faces significant challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), amid widespread corruption, weak governance, and political instability. This study innovatively explores the spatial spillover effects of public sector transparency—proxied by the corruption perceptions index (CPI)—alongside rule of law and political stability, on key sustainable development metrics, including the sustainable development index (SDI), CO 2 emissions, and ecological footprint. By highlighting these interconnections in Africa's SDG context, it addresses a critical gap in understanding how governance reforms can propagate across borders to foster regional progress. Drawing on panel data from 42 African countries spanning 2012 to 2022, the analysis employs spatial econometric models to capture spatial dependencies. Key findings reveal that the rule of law exerts a significant positive direct effect on SDI (0.024% total increase per 1% improvement) but insignificant spillovers. Enhanced public sector transparency (CPI) elevates CO 2 emissions primarily through spillovers, while the rule of law reduces ecological footprint via indirect effects. Income and population growth positively drive SDI with stronger spillovers yet exhibit mixed environmental impacts. These results underscore the interconnected governance‐sustainability nexus in Africa, advocating regional anti‐corruption and institutional reforms to harness positive spillovers for equitable green growth and SDG attainment.