The expanding horizon of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa: Leading research in the social sciences

Abstract

Africa faces numerous energy hurdles: low rates of access to electricity, decaying infrastructure, harmful cookstoves, and reliance on wood that leads to deforestation, among others. While many have long researched Africa's fossil fuel abundance, only recently have social scientists studied renewable energy in Africa. In this lead article for a “Special Issue on Renewable Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Contributions from the Social Sciences,” I begin by outlining the challenges Africa faces with respect to energy issues, along with the role of renewable energy today and the potential for increasing energy supply. I then discuss gaps in the literature followed by details on how the authors for the Special Issue collectively contribute to our understanding of renewable energy in Africa. I first note that most of the authors use qualitative methods, and then discuss key findings, including the importance of understanding culture, accommodating rural communities, fostering capacity-building, finding the money, and leveraging regionalism. I conclude with ways to overcome challenges of researching this topic and other opportunities for research that are not covered in depth here, such as gender analysis and the role of China and South Africa.