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Exploring the Relationship between Energy and Food Security in Africa with Instrumental Variables Analysis

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  • Abdulrasheed Zakari

    (School of Business, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
    Alma Mater Europaea ECM, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Jurij Toplak

    (Alma Mater Europaea ECM, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

  • Luka Martin Tomažič

    (Alma Mater Europaea ECM, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia)

Abstract

The well-being of human populations and their sustainable development are strongly predicated on energy and food security. This is even more true of Africa due to often suboptimal food production, undernourishment, and extreme poverty. This article researches the relationship between energy and food security using Cobb–Douglas production functions based on the World Development Indicators data for 28 African countries. The methodological approach includes cross-sectional dependence and unit root tests, instrumental variables two-stage least-squares and generalized method of moments, and panel Driscoll–Kraay standard errors. Results suggest that the promotion of energy security promotes food security. This is possible because food production and distribution are energy-intensive. Therefore, energy is fundamental to achieving food security and zero hunger. The availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability of energy can thus help to fix the growing agricultural production shortage in Africa. An important policy focus should be on achieving energy security.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdulrasheed Zakari & Jurij Toplak & Luka Martin Tomažič, 2022. "Exploring the Relationship between Energy and Food Security in Africa with Instrumental Variables Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:15:p:5473-:d:874253
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