Attaining Sustainable Development in Africa through Renewable Energy Financing

Abstract

Finding a sustainable solution to climate change based on the unique attributes of Africa requires some well-structured bespoke green financial vehicles that will spur development not only from economic standpoint but also in the quality of the environment and social wellbeing of the populace. This study therefore examines the role renewable energy financing in harnessing sustainable development in Africa. The study thus employed the panel ARDL estimation technique to analyse this relationship while limiting the sample size to limited to Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and Egypt representing countries with significant renewable energy investment from 1990 to 2023. Findings depict that in the short run, insignificant relationships were found between renewable energy utilisation and economic sustainability as well as between renewable energy utilisation and environmental sustainability. However, in the long run, the relationships are revealed to be both negative but statistically insignificant for economic sustainability but significant for environmental sustainability. The substantial negative effect of renewable energy usage on carbon emissions follows worldwide expectation and reflects clean energy as a solution to environmental deterioration. This study recommend that government should utilize both fiscal and monetary instrument to encourage renewable energy investment in Africa. This can be in the form of tax incentive and grant on green project that are executed in Africa. Foreign direct investment should be channelled to green project that promote skill enhancement and sustainable workforce. The use of tailored regulation to create a renewable energy market for local and foreign investor and at the same time creating an unfavourable environment for investment in fossil fuel in Africa.