Influence of Governance Practices on Sustainable Development of the Sub-Saharan African Countries

Abstract

The study sought to assess the influence of governance practices on sustainable development of the Sub-Saharan African countries. The research was guided by legitimacy theory. The study used a longitudinal panel design and incorporated both the descriptive and explanatory elements that looked at sustainability dynamics in the Sub-Saharan African region. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy. It sourced data from 49 Sub-Saharan African countries over 24 years, from 2000 to 2023. The study relied on secondary data from the World Bank Data Bank (2025), UNDP (2025), Fund for Peace (2025) and Sustainable Development Report (2024). Descriptive analysis and regression models were used for analysis. The study found that governance improvements in areas of control of corruption, voice and accountability and government effectiveness did not directly contribute to sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Practical interventions should focus on enhancing governance effectiveness through capacity building and institutional reforms.