Energy Security and the Green Growth Agenda in Africa: Exploring Trade-Offs and Synergies

Abstract

The paper examines the effect of the green growth agenda on energy security in Africa using a longitudinal data for the period 1996-2013. The study captures energy security using two basic measures; an aspect sees it as provision of environmentally sustainable energy and alternately in terms of availability/accessibility of energy. Our result shows that the effect of the green growth strategies in ensuring energy security is negligible. On the other hand, consistent with the energy ladder hypothesis, income plays a major influence on energy security in Africa. The study suggests the need to strengthen the institutional arrangement in ensuring the green growth strategies in terms of energy investment and adherence to strict environmental regulation are adequately executed.