From Regionalism to Resilience: Assessing Africa's Progress on SDG 16 Through Regional Cooperation

ABSTRACT This paper examines the critical role of African regional organizations in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), which emphasizes peace, justice, and strong institutions. This study employed a mixed‐methods, integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence from authoritative datasets, institutional reports, and policy documents to assess governance, conflict, corruption, justice, and institutional performance across African countries. Quantitative analyses examined trends and cross‐country comparisons, while qualitative document analysis contextualized findings regarding judicial, anti‐corruption, and participatory governance initiatives. Through this analytical lens, the study explores the contributions of the African Union (AU) and regional economic communities (RECs) in fostering regional integration, institutional development, and conflict resolution across the continent. Employing case studies of The Gambia's democratic transition and South Sudan's state fragility, the research highlights the diverse challenges and opportunities regional bodies encounter in promoting governance and stability. The findings reveal that while regionalism has significantly influenced peacebuilding and justice promotion, persistent challenges related to resource constraints, political will, and normative inconsistencies hamper the full realization of SDG 16 targets. The paper concludes with strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening institutional capacities, enhancing regional normative frameworks, and fostering inclusive governance partnerships, thereby underscoring the indispensable nexus between regional cooperation and sustainable development in Africa.