Non-renewable energy consumption and quality of life: Evidence from Sub-Saharan African economies

This study investigates the effects of non-renewable energy (NRE) on quality of life (QOL) in 43 Sub-Saharan African (SSA) economies for the period straddling 1990-2017. Four indicators of NRE comprising coal, natural gas, and petroleum oil (disaggregated) and fossil fuel (aggregated) are examined on three indicators of QOL (life expectancy, mortality rate, and human development index) by employing two-step system generalized method of moment (SYS-GMM) with forward orthogonal, fixed effects OLS, and fully modified OLS. The findings reveal significant negative impacts of NRE indicators on life expectancy and HDI but positive effects on mortality rate (infant). Besides, these results are consistent with the robustness checks. Based on the findings, implementing policies that will help discontinue the surge in non-renewable energy consumption, and raise the income level of the populace are sacrosanct to improving QOL in the region.