Ubuntu and the Missed Development Goals in the Global South: Rethinking MDGs and SDGs through an African Philosophical Lens

The Global South continues to face challenges in meeting international development goals like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Traditional explanations focus on governance, financial, and institutional weaknesses, but often ignore the cultural and philosophical foundations that are crucial to development. This study uses the African philosophy of Ubuntu, expressed as “I am because we are,†to examine why sub-Saharan Africa and other Global South regions struggle with these global agendas. Ubuntu principles of collective responsibility, human dignity, interconnectedness, relational justice, and inclusive participation are often overlooked in development frameworks driven by external influences. Using a qualitative interpretive approach that includes philosophical interpretation and secondary analysis of development reports, this article shows that incorporating Ubuntu principles can reshape development strategies to be more participatory, human-centered, and relational. Such a shift could improve the effectiveness of SDG implementation and promote sustainable development that aligns with local socio-cultural realities.