Is green a Pan-African colour? Mapping African renewable energy policies and transitions in 34 countries

Abstract

Renewable Energy (RE) is rapidly gaining relevance as a key technology to quench growing energy demand on the African continent. Many African states have introduced RE legislation, but the design of RE policy instruments, as well as their application and efficiency vary considerably across African economies. This article presents an analysis of energy transition processes based on a comparative mapping of African renewable energy policies in 34 countries. We discuss these developments with respect to their justice dimension, following up on the recent debate on distributive, recognitional, and procedural energy justice. We not only provide evidence of African energy policies covering recognitional and distributive justice, but also identify potential trade-offs between strong market orientation and justice concerns. We embed our findings in the debates on a “just transition” and on “energy justice” that have emerged as recent outcomes of the transition management literature travelling to the Global South.