Revisiting sustainable development in Africa through a national economic environmental social and governance perspective

Abstract This study provides a comprehensive assessment of sustainable development in 24 African countries from 2000 to 2022 at the national level by employing the multidimensional Economics, Environmental, Social, and Governance (EESG) framework. Using a detailed set of 63 indicators and advanced analytical methods, including entropy weighting and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) ranking, the research disaggregates performance across the four dimensions to uncover trends and disparities. The findings indicate modest improvements in overall EESG performance, driven mainly by progress in the social and governance dimensions, while economic and environmental scores remain limited due to ongoing challenges such as weak economic diversification and environmental pressures. Countries such as Botswana and Tunisia have made notable strides in governance and social development, whereas others, including Libya and South Sudan, continue to face persistent structural challenges. This study highlights the importance of integrated policies that address economic development, environmental sustainability, social equity, and governance in a balanced manner. It also offers critical policy insights for governments, civil society, and development partners in African countries, aiming to accelerate sustainable development both in the short and long term.