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Regional Integration and Energy Sustainability in Africa: Exploring the Challenges and Prospects for ECOWAS

Author

Listed:
  • Opeyemi Akinyemi

    (CEPDeR, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria)

  • Uchenna Efobi

    (CEPDeR, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria)

  • Evans Osabuohien

    (CEPDeR, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria)

  • Philip Alege

    (CEPDeR, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria)

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which regional integration can be a viable tool in driving energy sustainability in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region of Africa, and vice versa. It examines the existing opportunities and the attendant challenges for improved firms’ productivity in the sub-region through the appraisal of the ECOWAS West African Power Pool (WAPP). Using three measures of energy sustainability, namely: energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability; the study presents the performance of the ECOWAS sub-region in ensuring regional integration for energy sustainability. The findings from the study reveal, inter alia, that there are prospects and benefits for energy integration for sustainable development in the region. Though some progress had been made, there are many challenges. Also, where progress had been made, it is not uniform across the sub-region, though factors such as rising population and political instability could be responsible. It is recommended that the political economy surrounding regional energy integration should be given a priority among the Member States to ensure that there is positive political will for speedy achievement of set goals. Also, investment in human capital to manage the different projects and maintain the facilities cannot be overemphasised.

Suggested Citation

  • Opeyemi Akinyemi & Uchenna Efobi & Evans Osabuohien & Philip Alege, 2019. "Regional Integration and Energy Sustainability in Africa: Exploring the Challenges and Prospects for ECOWAS," Working Papers 19/081, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    • Handle: RePEc:exs:wpaper:19/081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Pineau, Pierre-Olivier, 2008. "Electricity sector integration in West Africa," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 210-223, January.
    2. Opeyemi, Akinyemi & Uchenna, Efobi & Simplice, Asongu & Evans, Osabuohein, 2019. "Renewable energy, trade performance and the conditional role of finance and institutional capacity in sub-Sahara African countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 490-498.
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    4. Opeyemi Akinyemi & Philip. O. Alege & Oluseyi. O. Ajayi & Henry Okodua, 2017. "Energy Pricing Policy and Environmental Quality in Nigeria: A Dynamic Computable General Equilibrium Approach," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 7(1), pages 268-276.
    5. Uchenna Efobi & Tanankem Belmondo & Emmanuel Orkoh & Scholastica N. Atata & Opeyemi Akinyemi & Ibukun Beecroft, 2018. "Environmental Pollution Policy of Small Businesses in Nigeria and Ghana: Extent and Impact," Research Africa Network Working Papers 18/050, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    6. Jaime DE MELO & Yvonne TSIKATA, 2014. "Regional integration in Africa: Challenges and prospects," Working Papers P93, FERDI.
    7. Evans S. Osabuohien & Uchenna R. Efobi & John T. Odebiyi & Oluyemi O. Fayomi & Adeleke O. Salami, 2019. "Bilateral Trade Performance in West Africa: A Gravity Model Estimation," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 31(1), pages 1-14, March.
    8. Samuel Egbetokun & Evans S. Osabuohien & Temidayo Akinbobola, 2018. "Feasible Environmental Kuznets and Institutional Quality in North and Southern African Sub-regions," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(1), pages 104-115.
    9. Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi & Evans S. Osabuohien & Romanus Osabohien, 2018. "ICT investments, human capital development and institutions in ECOWAS," International Journal of Economics and Business Research, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 15(4), pages 463-474.
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    11. Opeyemi E. Akinyemi & Evans S. Osabuohien & Philip O. Alege & Adeyemi A. Ogundipe, 2017. "Energy Security, Trade and Transition to Green Economy in Africa," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 7(3), pages 127-136.
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    Cited by:

    1. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2021. "Governance and renewable energy consumption in sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers 21/030, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    2. Asongu, Simplice A. & Odhiambo, Nicholas M., 2021. "Inequality, finance and renewable energy consumption in Sub-Saharan Africa," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(P1), pages 678-688.
    3. Mohsin, Muhammad & Taghizadeh-Hesary, Farhad & Iqbal, Nadeem & Saydaliev, Hayot Berk, 2022. "The role of technological progress and renewable energy deployment in green economic growth," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 777-787.
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M.Odhiambo, "undated". "Governance and Renewable Energy Consumption in sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers AESRIWP11, African Economic and Social Research Institute (AESRI).
    5. Romanus Osabohien & Evans S. Osabuohien & Precious Ohalete, 2019. "Agricultural Sector Performance, Institutional Framework and Food Security in Nigeria," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 19/083, African Governance and Development Institute..
    6. Romanus Osabohien & Evans Osabuohien & Precious Ohalete, 2019. "Agricultural Sector Performance, Institutional Framework and Food Security in Nigeria," Research Africa Network Working Papers 19/083, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    7. Asongu, Simplice & Vo, Xuan, 2020. "The Effect of Finance on Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: Avoidable CO2 emissions Thresholds," MPRA Paper 103233, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. Simon Yannick Fouda Ekobena & Adama Ekberg Coulibaly & Mama Keita & Antonio Pedro, 2021. "Potentials of the African Continental Free Trade Area: A combined partial and general equilibrium modeling assessment for Central Africa," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(3), pages 452-465, September.
    9. Kalu O. Emenike, 2021. "Interdependence among West African stock markets: A dimension of regional financial integration," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(2), pages 288-299, June.
    10. Boris Odilon Kounagbè Lokonon, 2020. "Household cooking fuel choice: Evidence from the Republic of Benin," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(4), pages 686-698, December.
    11. Hatipoglu, Emre & Soytas, Mehmet Ali & Belaïd, Fateh, 2023. "Environmental consequences of geopolitical crises: The case of economic sanctions and emissions," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PB).
    12. Katharina Löhr & Custódio Efraim Matavel & Sophia Tadesse & Masoud Yazdanpanah & Stefan Sieber & Nadejda Komendantova, 2022. "Just Energy Transition: Learning from the Past for a More Just and Sustainable Hydrogen Transition in West Africa," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-23, December.
    13. Muntasir Murshed & Haider Mahmood & Tarek Tawfik Yousef Alkhateeb & Suvajit Banerjee, 2020. "Calibrating the Impacts of Regional Trade Integration and Renewable Energy Transition on the Sustainability of International Inbound Tourism Demand in South Asia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    14. Ofosu-Peasah, G. & Ofosu Antwi, E. & Blyth, W., 2021. "Factors characterising energy security in West Africa: An integrative review of the literature," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    15. Oseghale Baryl Ihayere & Philip Olasupo Alege & Obindah Gershon & Jeremiah Ogaga Ejemeyovwi & Praise Daramola, 2021. "Information Communication Technology Access and Use towards Energy Consumption in Selected Sub Saharan Africa," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(1), pages 471-477.
    16. Abdoulaye Ballo & Koffi Kouakou Valentin & Bruno Korgo & Kehinde Olufunso Ogunjobi & Solomon Nwabueze Agbo & Daouda Kone & Moumini Savadogo, 2022. "Law and Policy Review on Green Hydrogen Potential in ECOWAS Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    17. Qiaowen Zhang & Benjamin Batinge, 2021. "A social network analysis of the structure and evolution of intra‐African trade," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 33(1), pages 204-217, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    ECOWAS; Energy; Green growth; Sustainable development; Regional Integration;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • P28 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Natural Resources; Environment
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes
    • R58 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Regional Development Planning and Policy

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