Making the World a Better Place to Live: African Research and Education Networks' Contributions to the UN SDGs

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a universal framework aimed at addressing global challenges by 2030. Governments and organizations worldwide have since aligned their initiatives with these goals, leveraging them as a roadmap for sustainable development.

African Research and Education Networks (RENs)—both national (NRENs) and regional (RRENs)—have significantly contributed to achieving the SDGs by supporting education, innovation, gender equality, economic growth, and climate action. However, their contributions remain underreported, limiting their visibility and potential for funding. This paper highlights the crucial role of African RENs in advancing the SDGs, demonstrating their direct and indirect impacts on development.