Abstract: Following their independence, Sub-Sahara African (SSA) countries started with high hopes for rapid economic growth, eradication of poverty and socio-economic transformation that will culminate into high quality of life of their population. However, poverty is increasingly assuming an African face. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 75% of the world’s poor people. Fifty-four percent of the population in SSA is multi-dimensionally poor. The overall objective of the paper is analyzing the main drivers of poverty and policy implications for achieving sustainable development goals by 2030. The main drivers of poverty in Sub- Sahara Africa are (i) Lack of broad-based growth. (ii) High income inequalities (iii) rapid population growth. (iv) Lack of capabilities and deprivation of basic necessities for large segments of the population. (v) High external debt burden and debt services. (vi) Low productivity of rural population. (vi) Political instability, conflicts and bad governance.