SDG 12: Responsible Consumption And Production
When people hear “responsible consumption,” they often think about plastic straws or waste separation. But for me, as someone working to equip the next generation of African professionals, this goal is far deeper than trash bins and packaging.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production is about how we build people who don’t just consume what others have created… but who contribute thoughtfully to their environment, economy, and community.
In the programs I run at Skilled For Work , I see the same pattern over and over again:
Young people buy data bundles to scroll, but not always to learn.
They download Canva but don’t know how to design strategically.
They sign up for job boards without a clue what skills are actually in demand.
Not because they’re lazy. Not because they lack interest. But because no one ever taught them how to be conscious consumers and responsible producers.
We talk about productivity, but we rarely teach purposeful production.
According to the UN, global material consumption has outpaced population growth, especially in fast-urbanising regions like Africa. But the issue isn’t just how much we consume; it’s whether we’re consuming with intention, and whether we are contributing anything back to the ecosystem we benefit from.
And let’s be honest: Africa cannot afford to be a passive market, a place where we import ideas, tools, and content, then use them with no strategy or skill.
We need to build a generation that asks:
Why am I using this?
How can I use it better?
What can I create or contribute in return?
That’s why our curriculum goes beyond tools and techniques. We teach learners to:
Reflect before they consume
Organise before they execute
Share what they learn with others
Build habits of thoughtful, impact-driven work
Because responsible production starts in how you manage yourself, your skills, your time, and your attention.
So how do we move the needle on SDG 12 in Africa?
🔹 Governments and agencies must include digital responsibility and media literacy in national curricula, not just coding.
🔹 Employability programs must train people not just to “work,” but to contribute with excellence, efficiency, and purpose.
🔹 Private sector players should incentivise innovation from employees – not just output, but sustainability and systems thinking.
🔹 Donor-funded projects should require measurable knowledge-sharing or community giveback, not just participation certificates.
I tell my learners this often: “It’s not enough to finish the course. What will you do with what you’ve learned?”
Whether it’s a Canva design, a remote job, or a voice in the room, responsible production means leaving your space better than you found it.
Africa doesn’t just need more consumers. We need a generation that can think, build, and contribute consciously.
Dr Aderinsola Adio-Adepoju
Sustainability | Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Global Opportunities | Employability Skills