Inequality of opportunity in access to and consumption of modern energy in Togo: A parametric approach

Abstract

The transformation towards cleaner energy consumption in Togo is progressing at a slow pace due to a combination of unfavourable socioeconomic, demographic, and spatial factors that favour traditional fuel use over clean and efficient energy. This study tries to quantify the inequality in modern energy access by applying the inequality of opportunity framework. We use a parametric approach to the 2015 Togolese Living Standard Survey; our results show that, on average, 40.76% of inequalities in household modern energy access and consumption in Togo are due to unequal circumstances beyond their control. A Shapley-value decomposition shows that inequalities of opportunity are greater for older persons and women than for youths and men, respectively. Moreover, these inequalities are more pronounced in rural areas and poor regions, especially the Savanna and Kara regions. Consequently, policies aimed at reducing inequality of opportunity in modern energy access and consumption in Togo should emphasise demographic factors, such as gender, age composition, and geographic location of households.