His Majesty’s view that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) cannot be achieved without cooperation from other nations brings to light the reality that many developing States face structural limitations that cannot be resolved through domestic effort alone. The SDGs set out an ambitious global framework, though the capacity to deliver varies widely across regions. Eswatini’s experience shows both areas of progress and areas where advancement slows, a pattern familiar across many low and middle-income countries. While national planning aligns with Agenda 2030 and several sectors report positive indicators, persistent constraints continue to shape outcomes in ways that are often beyond the control of national policymakers.
Eswatini has made gains in access to water and electricity, which His Majesty has mentioned in recent engagements. These advances place the country ahead of many regional peers, but progress in other sectors remains uneven. Health, agriculture and enterprise budgets have grown in recent years, nevertheless, this does not always match the scale of demand. Limited fiscal space means that long-term planning is often disrupted when urgent needs arise. Infrastructure projects take time to complete and delays slow down delivery targets. Data gaps further complicate national reporting, which makes it difficult to assess the speed of progress or identify areas where interventions require adjustment.
The country’s review processes and indicators have pointed to inequality, resource constraints and the need for stronger coordination among institutions as recurring challenges. These findings suggest that while policy commitments are present, consistent delivery remains difficult. External shocks, such as economic downturns or climate-related events, also place pressure on already-stretched resources. In this environment, achieving SDGs by the 2030 deadline becomes increasingly demanding.
Kenya’s experience adds another dimension to the discussion. The country’s latest Voluntary National Review reported progress in education, gender equality and climate action; however, it also recorded regression in several indicators. Poverty and hunger continue to affect large segments of the population. These pressures dent gains in school enrolment, maternal health and social protection. Kenya carries a considerable public debt burden, which reduces fiscal room for investment in essential services. When a large share of revenue is directed towards debt repayment, fewer resources remain for infrastructure, health facilities, agricultural support or social assistance. Droughts, inflation and governance challenges further complicate the landscape.
Kenya’s situation displays that strong policy frameworks do not automatically translate into SDG advancement. Even with national strategies aligned to global goals, the ability to deliver depends on economic stability, favourable climate conditions and administrative capacity. Without these, progress slows or becomes uneven. Kenya continues to pursue reform, though the pace is affected by constraints that require both domestic resilience and external support.
Rwanda provides another point of comparison. The country reports forward steps in water, sanitation, energy and sustainable cities. These achievements stem from deliberate investment in infrastructure and service delivery. However, climate shocks continue to disrupt national development plans. Floods, landslides and droughts regularly damage infrastructure and reduce agricultural output. Recovery consumes resources that could otherwise support long-term planning. As a result, the pace of SDG advancement fluctuates depending on the severity of environmental events.
Rwanda’s assessments note that only part of its SDG targets are on course. The rest depend on improved resource mobilisation, stronger climate resilience measures and sustained technical support. This shows that even where policy direction is consistent, external factors continue to influence outcomes. Countries that face repeated environmental shocks must allocate resources to emergency response, which slows investment in housing, urban development or renewable energy.
His Majesty’s focus on cooperation, thus, addresses a reality that affects many developing countries. For the kingdom, external support in data systems, concessional financing, technology access and economic diversification would help create stability for long-term planning. Kenya requires support in debt management and climate adaptation. Rwanda benefits from partnerships that support disaster preparedness, agricultural transformation and infrastructure resilience. Cooperation allows States to address structural constraints that slow progress and it is key that cooperation must be predictable and aligned with national priorities.
A critical examination shows that cooperation alone does not guarantee results. Financing often arrives slowly or is tied to conditions that restrict its usefulness. Technology transfer programmes sometimes lack continuity. Climate finance commitments are not always honoured which leaves vulnerable countries exposed to repeated environmental shocks.
The SDGs remain complex targets that require sustained investment. Many developing States lack the fiscal space to pursue long-term planning while dealing with immediate pressures. Climate events continue to intensify, which places further strain on public resources. Inequality persists, which slows gains in health, education and livelihoods. Without cooperative approaches that respond to these realities, States find themselves working hard, yet delivering results at a slower pace than required.
His Majesty’s position,therefore, engages with a wider conversation about the interconnected nature of global development. Support for SDG advancement is not an act of charity, but part of a shared global interest. When Eswatini expands access to basic services, health systems elsewhere benefit from reduced cross-border strain. When Kenya improves climate adaptation, regional food security improves. When Rwanda secures resilient infrastructure, cross-border trade gains stability. Comments may be sent to: bongwebagcinile@gmail.com
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