Convergence in energy intensity of GDP: Evidence from West African countries

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

As convergence in energy-related series has implications for sustainable energy consumption, researchers in the field of energy economics are interested in investigating the stochastic nature of energy-related series, including the energy intensity of GDP. However, there is a limited focus on West Africa which is a major economic block within the African continent. This study thus contributes to the extant literature by investigating the convergence of energy intensity of GDP amongst the 15-member countries of the ECOWAS. Using time-series data from 1988 to 2019, the sigma, beta as well stochastic convergence tests were conducted. Overall, results show that the energy intensity of GDP converges for the majority of the West-African countries. In this regard, regionally coordinated energy policies will improve energy efficiency and promote sustainable energy consumption more than the national energy policy of individual West-African countries. • The first study on convergence in energy intensity of GDP in all West African countries. • The sigma, beta as well stochastic convergence tests were employed for the analysis. • The results mostly suggested convergence in energy intensity of GDP in West African countries. • Anglophonic and Francophonic categorizations reflect in the pattern of convergence amongst the countries. • Energy integration policies should be promoted in the region.