Renewable Energy Policies in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Analysis of Strategies, Challenges, and Pathways to Sustainable Development

Africa faces a unique set of challenges and opportunities in its quest for sustainable energy development and in correspondence with the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda set by the United Nations. The Sub-Saharan African (SSA) region, in particular, has rich renewable energy potential, including plentiful solar, wind, geothermal, biomass and hydropower resources. In spite of these abundant green resources, the region grapples with energy poverty, inadequate infrastructure, and a heavy reliance on traditional biomass, contributing to environmental degradation and health issues. Recognizing the urgency of addressing the imminent energy crisis, this paper conducts a thought-provoking analysis of renewable energy policies in SSA. It focuses primarily on the strategies that four major SSA countries have adopted, their success stories and the challenges ahead with reference to renewable energy uptake. It also explores the potential policy pathways toward establishing a sustainable and inclusive renewable energy landscape. Drawing on a wide array of scholarly literature, government reports, regulatory mechanisms, policy frameworks and international organization publications, this paper offers delicate insights into the complex nature of renewable energy development in SSA and highlights opportunities for future interventions.