Intervening Influence of Financial Development on the Relationship Between Sustainability Practices and Sustainable Development of the Sub-Saharan African Countries

The study sought to examine the intervening influence of financial development on the relationship between sustainability practices and sustainable development of the Sub-Saharan African countries. The study used a longitudinal panel design and incorporated both the descriptive and explanatory elements. The study adopted a positivist research philosophy. It examined data from 49 Sub-Saharan African countries over a 24-year period from 2000 to 2023 to analyse sustainability practices, financial development and their influence on sustainable development. The study relied on secondary data from the World Bank Data Bank, UNDP and Sustainable Development Reports. Descriptive analysis and regression models were used for analysis. The study found that financial development does not serve as an effective transmission channel through which sustainability practices influence sustainable development outcomes. The research concluded that policy interventions should include developing sustainable banking regulations, creating green finance incentives, establishing sustainability-linked lending criteria, and strengthening financial inclusion policies that target sustainable development sectors.