Context Of Africa Research Articles

Public administration boundary crossing imperatives: A practitioner’s reflections on pathways toward improved relevance for public service contexts

As a practitioner with boundary spanning interests and roles, I take a reflexive posture to ponder the nature and significance of boundary crossing in public administration. Specifically, I consider how boundary crossing could provide pathways toward greater relevance for public service contexts in South Africa. By bricolage, I derive theoretical and methodological associations across social constructionist perspectives that include relational theory, critical theory and reflexivity. Building on how the boundary crossing imperative is expressed in programme purposes and on brief reviews of public administration interdisciplinarity, I reflect on my experiences in practitioner-academic interactions and inter-institutional projects. From this exploration, I draw provisional conclusions about constraints to and opportunities for beneficial boundary crossing. I incorporate examples of critical considerations to guide the furtherance of education outcomes through boundary interactions between academics and practitioners. The limitations of self-reflexivity in qualitative inquiry are mediated through different data sources and the transparency with which subjective experiences are interpreted. The paper’s contribution is in making explicit a critical inside-out perspective and placing this side by side other empirical endeavours. Amid calls for more relevant and reflexive practices in public administration, the paper provides an example of cross boundary reflections that are still underrepresented and are yet to gain sophistication in practitioner-academic engagement and scholarship.

Commercial forensic interviewing in the South African context: the Ponaletso CFI framework

Purpose The continued prevalence of financial crime and the lack of effective commercial forensic interviewing strategies prompted the development, presented here, of a conceptual framework to explain the relational dynamics conducive to interactions during a commercial forensic interview (CFI). The purpose of this study is to present such a framework which may facilitate the process of obtaining admissible evidence in different forums. Design/methodology/approach A grounded theory approach was adopted to develop a conceptual framework, drawing on the findings of a scoping review, direct observations of interactions involving commercial forensic practitioners (FPs) and interviewees, and data obtained from semi-structured interviews, making use of critical realism as a meta-theoretical framework. Findings Data obtained from the review informed the integrated approach of the conceptual framework, thus combining the structure of the PEACE model and creating an optimal interpersonal context informed by the person-centred approach (PCA). Observational data were used to identify the relational qualities associated with the interpersonal styles (clusters of relational qualities) of FPs in the CFI context, thereby contributing to complex relational dynamics. Interview data were used both to describe effective and ineffective interpersonal styles and how they played out in the CFI with interviewees, yielding information that unfortunately proved not to be admissible in a legal context. The findings of the different phases indicated the need for an integrated conceptual approach, the Ponaletso CFI framework, which draws on the structure of the PEACE model and the PCA, as expressed in the relational qualities of interactional pattern analysis (IPA). The framework consists of the interview stage (before, during and after), the structure (phases) of the PEACE model, the type of questions (open- or closed-ended) according to the PCA, FPs’ interpersonal styles (clusters of relational qualities as explained by IPA) and the observable relational dynamics between FPs and interviewees. When FPs use the Ponaletso CFI framework, there is a greater likelihood of extracting admissible evidence because the interview is guided by a clear structure with a step-by-step questioning approach by FPs, while taking into consideration the relational dynamics to which they contribute. Originality/value The proposed conceptual framework considers relational dynamics and how FPs can navigate towards optimal relational dynamics in CFI contexts. FPs can apply the structure, ask appropriate questions at the relevant phases and observe the relational dynamics playing out in the interpersonal context of the CFI. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt at creating an integrated interviewing framework for conducting CFIs aligned with the legal context in South Africa. Using the Ponaletso CFI framework may aid FPs in obtaining admissible evidence and facilitate an optimal interpersonal context during commercial forensic investigations while respecting interviewees’ constitutional rights.

E-learning and sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review and synthesis

Purpose This study aims to examine the state of literature on the role of e-learning in the sustainability of higher education institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the goal of identifying explored thematic areas, finding out the deficiencies in extant literature and recommending areas of future research work. Design/methodology/approach The research used a systematic literature review, examining articles published between 2012 and 2022. In total, 52 publications were identified and subjected to analysis. Findings The findings reveal that few studies have explored the relationship between e-learning and the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa, with larger economies in the region dominating research output. In addition, traditional technology adoption and social learning theories dominate the theoretical frameworks in this area. Moreover, the authors observed limited adaptation of these theories to local contexts, leading to outcomes with limited contextual details or lack of the same. Despite its potential, e-learning has yet to be fully embraced as a strategic tool for the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa. Originality/value Although various systematic literature reviews exist in the field of sustainability in higher education, there seem to be no reviews specifically focused on e-learning within the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. This review sheds some light on potential future research paths regarding the theory, content and context of e-learning for the sustainability of higher education in Sub-Saharan Africa, and by extension, in developing countries worldwide.

Disaster risk from diarrhoeal diseases and WASH in South Africa and Botswana in MDG time

South Africa and Botswana are middle-income countries in the southern part of the African continent. They are also the two of the most developed countries in the region, where socio-economic situation is better than in many other parts of the African continent. The progression of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in these two countries can be seen as the setting stage for the disaster risk management understanding in the African region in the 21st century. This is done in this article for disaster risk management and waterborne diseases or water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in Botswana and South Africa. The authors used an open-source on the mortality in children under 5 to develop a proxy indicator for disaster risk from WASH. This dependent variable is correlated with the access to improved water and sanitation sources or facilities, and the expected lifespan at birth of the South African population. The latter indicators are used as independent variables in correlations, and they are seen as expressions of vulnerability determinants in the WASH context in South Africa and Botswana. Results indicate that the strongest prevention of the death rates from the WASH-related diseases comes from the overall status of the healthcare system in Botswana and South Africa. Socio-economic parameter played limited to no role in the determination of the diarrhoeal disease disaster risk in both the studied countries.Contribution: Access to improved drinking water sources and improved sanitation facilities played a partial role as a controlling factor in determining the WASH-related death rates. The overall functioning of the healthcare system is the most dominant factor in the disaster risk from WASH in South Africa and Botswana.

Fostering Self-efficacy: Understanding South African Grade 9 Students’ Confidence in their Mathematics Abilities

In poor-performing, resource-constrained education systems, such as South Africa, solutions to improve academic achievement have tended to focus on resources and cognitive factors. An area that requires more attention is the importance of non-cognitive, psychosocial factors and their relationship with academic performance. These factors are strongly associated with behaviour, playing a role in either facilitating or impeding the learning process. Understanding attitudes is therefore critical in interpreting achievement results with a view to improving them. This article used data from the 2019 Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study administered to 20,829 South African students in Grade 9 to investigate the confidence these students have in their mathematics ability (their self-efficacy) and the relationship with achievement. Linear regression analysis was employed to determine: (1) the relationship between Grade 9 students’ self-efficacy and mathematics achievement in South Africa; and (2) the contextual factors that were associated with the mathematics self-efficacy of the students. The results indicate a positive correlation between students’ self-efficacy and their performance in mathematics. In addition, good teaching practices and parental involvement in school activities were associated with higher levels of students’ mathematics self-efficacy. Being female was associated with lower levels of self-efficacy. These findings have important implications for shaping educational policy and practice in the resource constrained context of South Africa, to enhance students’ self-efficacy and performance in mathematics.

Factors impacting urban greenspace usage: new evidence from South Africa

This paper examines the factors that impact urban greenspace (UGS) usage in three urban parks in the city of Tshwane, South Africa. Guided by systems theory, we aim to determine how various cultural ecosystem services afforded by these parks influence usage with a particular focus on social relations, recreation, aesthetics, and spiritual value. Data for the study was collected using an online survey as well as online reviews of the UGSs from three different sources. Site visits were also conducted to verify the presence (or absence) of various tangible factors that could impact usage. Using correlation analysis, we determined that recreation was the primary cultural ecosystem service offered by these spaces that individuals consider when deciding whether to use an UGS. Moreover, UGSs that are accessible, perceptibly safe, and well-maintained generally attract park usage while UGSs that are perceived as being unsafe, neglected, and/or polluted generally deter park use. We conclude the study by making a series of recommendations that could encourage UGS usage in this unique context in South Africa.

Comparative legal frameworks for regulating artificial intelligence: A model for harmonizing AI laws in Latin America and Africa

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies advance, the need for comprehensive and harmonized legal frameworks has become paramount. This paper conducts a comparative analysis of the regulatory approaches to AI in Latin America and Africa, regions with unique challenges and opportunities in AI governance. While both regions have shown growing interest in AI, their legal landscapes differ significantly, with fragmented policies and varying levels of enforcement. The analysis reveals that despite these differences, there are common concerns such as data privacy, ethical use, and the impact of AI on labor markets that demand coordinated regulatory responses. The paper proposes a model for harmonizing AI laws between these regions, focusing on fostering cross-regional collaboration, developing shared ethical guidelines, and establishing joint regulatory bodies to ensure consistent enforcement. This model aims to balance innovation with the protection of fundamental rights, drawing on successful frameworks from other jurisdictions while adapting to the socio-economic contexts of Latin America and Africa. The harmonization of AI laws is not only essential for mitigating risks associated with AI but also for promoting economic integration and technological collaboration between these regions. By aligning their regulatory approaches, Latin America and Africa can better position themselves in the global AI landscape, ensuring that AI development is inclusive, ethical, and sustainable. The paper concludes by highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in AI governance and the potential of a harmonized legal framework to foster innovation while safeguarding public interest. This comparative study serves as a foundational step towards creating a unified AI regulatory environment that can effectively address the complexities of AI technologies and their socio-economic impacts across these two diverse regions.

To Starve the Beast or Not to Starve the Beast? Evidence from Debt-Distressed Region

ABSTRACT The elimination of budgetary disequilibrium remains a contentious issue, with scholars and policymakers debating the efficacy of tax alterations versus limiting government outlays. This topic has garnered significant attention, although research on the spending-revenue nexus is noticeably skewed against Africa, which presents an intriguing research opportunity. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported a concerning rise in public debt across Africa, highlighting the urgent need for public finance consolidation. In contrast to the extant literature, this study examines the dynamic link between revenues and expenditures from 1990 to 2022. Applying wavelet decomposition to account for temporary variations, our analysis reveals dynamic patterns in the revenue-expenditure nexus. Our findings support the institutional separation hypothesis in the short run, suggesting a distinct relationship between revenues and outlay. However, in the medium-to long-run, our results support the fiscal synchronization hypothesis, accentuating a more intertwined association between revenues and expenditures. This study sheds light on the nuanced dynamics of budgetary equilibrium in Africa, providing insights that can inform policy priorities and decision-making. Finally, by focusing on the unique context of Africa and using advanced techniques, this study contributes to the existing literature on budgetary equilibrium, filling a crucial gap in our knowledge of the public finance dynamics in the region.

Understanding ecological grief as a response to climate change-induced loss in Ghana

ABSTRACT The perceived effects of climate change on the environment are becoming a lived experience for many rural dwellers in poor countries. Several new concepts have emerged to describe the long-term mental health consequences of climate-induced effects, with ecological grief as a prime example. Yet empirical research showing how climate-related ecological loss drives grief and emotional distress among communities is limited, particularly within the context of sub-Saharan Africa. This study draws on in-depth interviews and a focus group with smallholder farmers in the Upper West region, Ghana’s most climate-vulnerable region, to develop an understanding of climate change-induced ecological grief. A key finding of the study is that smallholder farmers in the region are experiencing grief because of climate change-induced ecological loss including loss of livelihoods, loss of indigenous seeds and genetic resources, and loss of indigenous ecological knowledge. We further demonstrate that grief experienced by farmers manifests in various forms including feelings of anxiety, powerlessness, helplessness, hopelessness, and sadness, among others. Our findings have implications for climate change adaptation strategies and policies across the global South.

Hardware Development and Evaluation of Multihop Cluster-Based Agricultural IoT Based on Bluetooth Low-Energy and LoRa Communication Technologies.

In this paper, we present the development and evaluation of a contextually relevant, cost-effective, multihop cluster-based agricultural Internet of Things (MCA-IoT) network. This network utilizes commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) and LoRa communication technologies, along with the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ (RPi 3 B+), to address the challenges of climate change-induced global food insecurity in smart farming applications. Employing the lean engineering design approach, we initially implemented a centralized cluster-based agricultural IoT (CA-IoT) hardware testbed incorporating BLE, RPi 3 B+, STEMMA soil moisture sensors, UM25 m, and LoPy low-power Wi-Fi modules. This system was subsequently adapted and refined to assess the performance of the MCA-IoT network. This study offers a comprehensive reference on the novel, location-independent MCA-IoT technology, including detailed design and deployment insights for the agricultural IoT (Agri-IoT) community. The proposed solution demonstrated favorable performance in indoor and outdoor environments, particularly in water-stressed regions of Northern Ghana. Performance evaluations revealed that the MCA-IoT technology is easy to deploy and manage by users with limited expertise, is location-independent, robust, energy-efficient for battery operation, and scalable in terms of task and size, thereby providing a versatile range of measurements for future applications. Our results further demonstrated that the most effective approach to utilizing existing IoT-based communication technologies within a typical farming context in sub-Saharan Africa is to integrate them.

Women entrepreneurs in rural Nigeria: formal versus informal credit schemes

PurposeThis study examines why low-wealth women entrepreneurs forgo mobile enabled money services and government supported micro finance for informal, community-based revolving loans in rural Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThematic analysis of 25 interviews with women in rural, south-west Nigeria. Entrepreneurial ecosystem theory, in the gendered context of micro finance and community-based lending, is employed.FindingsThis study explains the paradox of forgoing seemingly accessible mobile enabled credit, and formal credit schemes (e.g. micro-finance programs) for informal, one-on-one borrowing. Convenience and trust-based relationships with respected community members ease the burden of time scarcity and vulnerability associated with formal capital. Flexible terms, autonomy, self-reliance and knowing who one is dealing with make Esusu a preferred source of finance. Findings are discussed in the context of gendered entrepreneurial ecosystems in which participants conduct business.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is not representative of women entrepreneurs in rural Nigeria. Survivorship bias is acknowledged. Further research is needed on the psychological risks of informal capital and the benefits of community-based lending.Practical implicationsMeasures to scale mobile enabled credit, without commensurate interventions to address time management and other structural issues that confront women traders, limit their utility and impacts. Power differentials between women traders and lenders must also be considered in the design of lending products. Training of women traders and formal lenders should incorporate curricula about gender gaps in capital markets and systematic gender challenges to support entrepreneurs who seek to grow beyond subsistence enterprises.Originality/valueThis study documents decision criteria that motivate informal rural women traders to employ community-based revolving credit or Esusu. Findings inform measures to increase women entrepreneurs' access to capital in a rural sub-Saharan Africa contexts.

AI-Driven Governance: Transforming Public and Addressing Legacy Issues in Post-Colonial Africa

This paper examines the transformational potentials that artificial intelligence (AI) may hold to reshape our public policies and methods of administration in the unique post-colonial context of Africa. We thus seek to unearth how AI technologies can be employed at a continental scale in the remedy of legacy issues arising from colonialism including; governance inefficiency, literacy gaps, and inequitable service delivery across the continent. From critically analyzing the application of AI in various public sectors, our research seeks to unveil opportunities for AI in inclusive decision-making processes to improve transparency as well as tailoring public service delivery to the diversified needs of African populations. The paper describes the way forward in the adoption of AI solutions that involve issues on a variety of considerations, infrastructure requirements, financial obstacles, and capacity development, among others. Highlighting the potential of AI in governance, this research underscores the place of local innovation stakeholder engagement, and international collaboration in assuring that AI plays out as a development lever for both sustainable development and empowerment in post-colonial Africa.

An Analysis of the Participation Exemption and International Headquarter Regimes in South Africa That Aim to Attract Intermediate Holding Companies and the Interaction Thereof with the OECD’s Pillar Two Proposals

This article analyses the incentives that are provided within a South Africa context to attract intermediate holding companies by way of the Participation Exemption and International Headquarter Regimes and discusses the interaction thereof with the OECD’s Pillar Two proposals.

Effectiveness of lifestyle interventions for glycaemic control among adults with type 2 diabetes in West Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

BackgroundLifestyle interventions are key to the control of diabetes and the prevention of complications, especially when used with pharmacological interventions. This protocol aims to review the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions in relation to nutrition and physical activity within the West African region. This systematic review and meta-analysis seeks to understand which interventions for lifestyle modification are implemented for the control of diabetes in West Africa at the individual and community level, what evidence is available on their effectiveness in improving glycaemic control and why these interventions were effective.MethodsWe will review randomised control trials and quasi-experimental designs on interventions relating to physical activity and nutrition in West Africa. Language will be restricted to English and French as these are the most widely spoken languages in the region. No other filters will be applied. Searching will involve four electronic databases — PubMed, Scopus, Africa Journals Online and Cairn.info using natural-language phrases plus reference/citation checking.Two reviewers will independently screen results according to titles and abstracts against the inclusion and exclusion criteria to identify eligible studies. Upon full-text review, all selected studies will be assessed using Cochrane’s Collaboration tool for assessing the risk of bias of a study and the ROBINS-I tool before data extraction. Evidence will be synthesised narratively and statistically where appropriate. We will conduct a meta-analysis when the interventions and contexts are similar enough for pooling and compare the treatment effects of the interventions in rural to urban settings and short term to long term wherever possible.DiscussionWe anticipate finding a number of studies missed by previous reviews and providing evidence of the effectiveness of different nutrition and physical activity interventions within the context of West Africa. This knowledge will support practitioners and policymakers in the design of interventions that are fit for context and purpose within the West African region.Systematic review registrationThis systematic review has been registered in the International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews — PROSPERO, with registration number CRD42023435116. All amendments to this protocol during the process of the review will be explained accordingly.

Complex cocoa agroforestry systems shaped within specific socioeconomic and historical contexts in Africa: Lessons from Cameroonian farmers

CONTEXTIn the humid tropics, the socioecological advantages of family-based, multistory agroforestry systems are well recognized. Yet public policies tend to focus on conservation and land-sparing strategies alongside the promotion of modern intensive agriculture, neglecting these biodiverse agroecosystems, which are in decline. This is a particularly central issue in cocoa cultivation. In Africa's two largest cocoa-producing countries (Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana), cocoa plantations with few associated trees contribute to deforestation and biodiversity loss. In contrast, in regions like Cameroon, biodiversity-rich cocoa agroforests prevail. Considering global changes and rising cocoa demand, it is crucial to preserve and develop these agroforestry systems that reconcile cocoa production with ecosystem services. OBJECTIVEThis study, conducted in Cameroon between 2013 and 2017, aimed to pinpoint the socioeconomic factors influencing the characteristics, maintenance, and degradation of cocoa agroforests, with the ultimate goal of identifying intervention strategies to promote their preservation and development. METHODSThe study collected data from (i) on-field measurements in 95 cocoa agroforestry plots, (ii) interviews with the 95 farmers managing the plots, and (iii) historical interviews with 50 key informants. We focused on five sites across a gradient of population density, encompassing various socioecological environments and types of cocoa agroforests. Through thematic and statistical analyses, we evaluated differences between the five sites. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSOur results indicated contrasting management practices, dendrometric structure, species composition, and cocoa yields between sites. These contrasts largely reflected socioeconomic factors and site-specific dynamics. Cocoa agroforests were less rich in biodiversity in sites where farmers with capital using hired labor had acquired land than in sites where family farmers predominated. A trade-off was found between the richness of companion trees and cocoa yields. Plots managed by smallholder family farmers near urban areas tended to better reconcile cocoa production and biodiversity conservation. These farmers had gradually transformed their traditional agroforests to adapt to increasing demographic pressure by integrating diverse fruit tree species, using pesticides sparingly, and introducing selected cocoa varieties mixed with older varieties. SIGNIFICANCEThe small-scale family-managed cocoa agroforests, which incorporate fruit species as described in this study, could serve as a model for a more sustainable cocoa production strategy. However, developing such a strategy would require greater investment and support from policymakers. This includes supporting the marketing of products from companion trees, stabilizing cocoa prices at a high level, and implementing land policies that protect small and medium-sized family farmers.

Unveiling the Future of Retirement: The Opportunities and Obstacles in Modernizing Pension Schemes Across Africa

This systematic review offers a holistic understanding of the prospects, challenges, and best practices in modernizing pension schemes across Africa. With a rising aging population, pension schemes are vital for financial security, societal well-being, and poverty alleviation. The study addresses literature gaps by exploring economic implications, assessing elderly frailty, and investigating quality of life impacts. Following PRISMA guidelines and using the PICOS framework, multiple electronic databases were searched for papers published between February 2010 and April 2022, focusing on African pension schemes. Thirty-one studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Findings indicate that while pension schemes improve mental health, food security, and societal structures, they face challenges such as data scarcity, financial sustainability, social dynamics, and institutional barriers. Best practices include tailored interventions, financial flexibility, and healthcare integration. This paper uniquely synthesizes multiple disciplines, providing an integrated perspective and filling a significant literature gap. The study introduces models considering economic, psychological, and health-related variables, enhancing theoretical understanding. For practitioners, it offers adaptable best practices for regional and cultural contexts in Africa, including financial diversification, healthcare integration, and legal clarity. The societal impact extends to the elderly, their families, and communities, providing critical insights for policymakers to design effective, sustainable pension schemes to improve the quality of life for Africa’s aging population.

The Relevance of Curriculum for Pre-Service Teachers in Addressing Dynamic Classroom Changes in South Africa

In South Africa, the educational landscape is characterised by constant evolution and dynamic classroom changes, driven by technological advancements, diverse student populations, and evolving pedagogical approaches. Pre-service teachers are crucial in navigating these changes and fostering effective learning environments. This systematic literature analysis explores the relevance of curriculum for pre-service teachers in addressing the challenges posed by dynamic classroom contexts in South Africa. Drawing upon a comprehensive review of existing literature, this study examines the alignment between pre-service teacher education curricula and the evolving needs of classrooms in South Africa. Key themes explored include integrating technology, cultural responsiveness, inclusive education practices, and pedagogical flexibility. The analysis also considers the efficacy of current pre-service teacher training programmes in preparing teachers to meet the diverse needs of students in dynamic classroom settings. Furthermore, the study investigates the perceptions and experiences of pre-service teachers regarding the adequacy of their curriculum in equipping them for the realities of South African classrooms. By synthesising findings from various sources, this research aims to inform curriculum development efforts and enhance the preparation of pre-service teachers for the multifaceted challenges of teaching in South African schools.

Psychiatrists’ experiences of involuntary care in South Africa: dilemmas for practice in challenging contexts

Providing for people with psychosocial conditions in crisis is a complex and controversial endeavour that has gained significant attention over the past decade. This increased focus is driven by global...

IoT appropriation for crop management and productivity enhancement in South Africa

Background: While the Internet of things (IoT) has been praised for its potential to improve food security and combat climate change, it is unclear how agricultural entrepreneurs (especially farmers) in emerging contexts are harnessing this technology to leverage agricultural productivity.Objectives: Given the lack of documentation of novel-technology-supported farming approaches in relevant extant literature in emerging economies, this study sought to explore how South African farmers are harnessing the strength of IoT to leverage productivity in crop farming.Method: To address this research gap, a systematic literature review was conducted to establish how IoT was implemented in crop farming in resource-constrained contexts of South Africa. These databases, namely Google Scholar, Scopus, MDPI, IEEE Xplore, and Science Direct, were utilised to gather the relevant information.Results: The findings highlighted that IoT technology presented multiple opportunities for improving operational efficiency and connectivity and facilitating remote management of agricultural activities. Conversely, the findings suggested that the utilisation of IoT in crop farming poses serious challenges arising from software complexity, data security, lack of supporting infrastructure and technical skills.Conclusion: This article demonstrates how institutional voids, human capital and technological gaps in the South African farming industry undermine crop farming, food security in the communities and government efforts at promoting the latest technologies for leveraging agricultural productivity and the farming industry in general.Contribution: The study has contributed to filling the gap in the IoT literature in South Africa and worldwide. This study also contributed by aligning the theory to the study.

The Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 13 in “BRICS” Countries” a Scoping Review

The essence of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ratified by all member states of the United Nations in 2015, is encapsulated in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The present study examines the progress made in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 within the context of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS), employing a business and economic perspective. The research methodology employed encompassing a comprehensive review of pertinent literature as well as a meticulous analysis of relevant documentary content. Findings from the study revealed that though businesses in BRICS countries are trying to adopt the United Nations sustainable development goal 13, But there is limited effort in Brazil in the implementation of sustainable development goal 13. In Russia most companies are committed to the implementation of united nations sustainable development goal 13, but this has been constrained by sanction and the war in Ukraine. In addition, Indian companies are fulfilling their corporate social responsibilities viewed through the United Nations sustainable development goal 13. The effort on the part of Chinese companies and the government of China in implementing the United Nations sustainable development goal 13 is commendable as various corporate social responsibility programs and public education have been implemented. In the same vein South African companies have also been seen as very active in the implementation the United Nations sustainable development goal (SDG) 13 by having very important policies built around the goal. Recommendation state that it is imperative that climate change be duly addressed within the overarching vision and objectives of the BRICS businesses as well and there should be a multi-tiered collaboration among BRICS countries to expedite the realisation of the sustainable development goals 13. Equally important harmonisation between governmental bodies, non-governmental organisations, and conscientious corporate entities can be instrumental in attaining superior outcomes regarding the sustainable development goal (SDG) 13. Future studies should include and examine more companies and additional countries in terms of overall plans for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13.