Impact of energy poverty on education inequality and infant mortality in some selected African countries

Abstract

Energy poverty has far-reaching socioeconomic consequences on household wellbeing. Fuel cost, low incomes and energy inefficient dwellings, which are key constituents of energy poverty have implication on under 5 mortality rate and inequality in education. This study examined the link between energy poverty, under 5 mortality and inequality in education using data for 33 African countries. Empirical evidence from this study is based on panel cointegration, causality and fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS). The result suggests the existence of cointegration between energy poverty and under 5 mortality as well as between energy poverty and inequality in education. The result also suggests a unidirectional causality running energy poverty to under 5 mortality and from energy poverty to education inequality. The FMOLS result show that energy poverty is negatively and significantly related to under 5 mortality and inequality in education. The insights from this study are informative to policy makers among these African countries to support decision making around energy poverty in order to optimize the health and wellbeing of families. An increase in household access to energy through state intervention may reduce its impact on under 5 mortality, as well as reduce the gap in educational opportunities between the rural-poor and urban centers.