Towards responsive energy governance: Lessons from a holistic analysis of energy access in Uganda and Zambia

Electrification rates in sub-Saharan Africa are low despite increasing national and international efforts. Good governance is key to translate these efforts into tangible energy access improvements. However, evaluating the quality of energy access governance is challenging due to the multitude of stakeholders involved and its dynamic institutional environment. This paper designs a novel, holistic analytical approach to assess energy access governance based on three data collection methods: Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA), semi-structured stakeholder interviews and closed surveys. It assesses energy access governance along six indicators. Applying this approach to the previously unstudied cases of energy access governance in Uganda and Zambia allows us to induce a new model of the type of interdependencies between different indicators of good governance. It suggests that while a multitude of feedback loops between indicators exist, basic rule of law and transparency standards are critical prerequisites for accountability and inclusiveness, which in turn foster efficacy and, ultimately, responsiveness of energy access governance. For Uganda and Zambia specifically, our analyses reveal shortcomings across all six governance indicators, hampering electrification efforts. Key levers include completing regulatory frameworks, improving transparency, and designing meaningful interactions between stakeholders to foster inclusiveness, and responsiveness of energy access governance.