In partnership with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Wilton Park and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened a high-level policy roundtable in Nairobi on ‘Agenda 2063 in a post-ODA world: African agency for socio-economic transformation’. The roundtable brought together senior African policymakers, representatives of regional and multilateral institutions, private sector leaders, development practitioners, and researchers to examine how Africa can advance inclusive and sustainable development amid declining official development assistance and rising global uncertainty.
According to OECD figures, official development assistance (ODA) declined by 7.1% in 2024 vs 2023, and is projected to have declined by a further 9-17% in 2025 vs 2024, with many donors reporting further cuts to come in 2026. African governments generated approximately $572 billion in revenue in 2023 and recorded $785 billion in expenditure, leaving a fiscal gap of roughly $200 billion[1]. In addition, Africa’s external debt stock has now climbed to roughly $1 trillion[2], while at the start of 2026, 22 countries on the continent are in debt distress or at high risk of debt distress[3]. Ongoing ODA cuts are therefore compounding an already challenging fiscal situation for Africa, amid intersecting political, demographic, technological, climatic, and economic transitions, aggravated by global geopolitical fragmentation[4].
The roundtable focused on practical pathways to unlock Africa’s potential at this pivotal moment, including mobilising domestic, private, and diaspora finance; making development more investable; leveraging digital innovation and AI; and capturing greater value from critical minerals. The discussion emphasised how current global shifts can be harnessed to reinforce African agency, leadership, and collective action.
[1] McKinsey & Company. (2026). ‘From borrowing to building: A new fiscal path for Africa’.
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/social-sector/our-insights/from-borrowing-to-building-a-new-fiscal-path-for-africa, presented at the Wilton Park roundtable.
[2] UNDP. (2025). ‘Navigating the debt crisis: Reforming the Common Framework for African Countries’. United Nations Development Programme.
[3] Institute for Economic Justice. (2025, April). ‘Diverting development: The G20 and external debt service burden in Africa (IEJ Sovereign Debt Working Paper Series #1)’. Authors: Zucker-Marques, M., D’orsi, R., Ramburuth, K., Njoroge, P., & Gallagher, K. Retrieved.https://iej.org.za/g20-and-external-debt-service-burden-in-africa/.
[4] UN Sustainable Development Group. (2023). ‘Six transitions: Shaping the future — English. United Nations Sustainable Development Group’. https://unsdg.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-09/Six%20Transitions%20English.pdf.