Abstract

Globalization and foreign direct investment are now key forces shaping sustainable development in emerging economies. This study examined how both factors influence sustainable development outcomes using a quantitative design with regression analysis. The results show that globalization (B = .168) and FDI (B = .628) positively predict sustainable development, with FDI exerting a stronger effect. These findings support Narula and Pineli’s (2020) argument that FDI drives economic transformation and align with Adegbite and Ayadi’s (2022) view that globalization strengthens innovation and institutional capacity in African economies. The analysis suggests that globalization facilitates cross-border integration and knowledge flows, while FDI provides the capital and technological spillovers that more directly enhance development indicators. The study reinforces the relevance of the resource-based view and modernization theory. In practical terms, policymakers need to attract high-quality FDI and manage globalization in ways that promote inclusive and sustainable growth. The results stress the value of maintaining openness while applying strategic regulation to secure long-term development gains. The study therefore recommends that policymakers prioritize the attraction of environmentally responsible FDI, strengthen regulatory enforcement, and align investment policies with sustainability goals to ensure that economic growth does not compromise environmental integrity.