Sustainable development goals (SDGs) and remittances in Africa

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the most ambitious development frameworks to assist in driving inclusive development globally. This is particularly so relative to Africa. Several efforts have been made to achieve development in Africa but more efforts are needed to achieve desired results. Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs), which used to positively impact development on the continent, have been on the decline even as African governments continue to struggle with development efforts. Current poverty alleviation efforts and development financing strategies have focused on the role of remittances in achieving development on the continent given sustained and appreciable increase in remittances and their abilities to reach/impact households. More studies are, however, needed to sufficiently understand how remittances affect, and will continue to affect, development in Africa, particularly within the framework of SDGs. Remittances are very relevant to SDGs particularly in achieving goals 1–6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, and 17 in Africa. It is against this background that this article examines the possibilities and potentials of remittances in driving development and achieving SDGs in Africa.