Legal and policy frameworks for climate-friendly energy generation in Africa : energy security for future development
Date
2015
Authors
Gachenga, Elizabeth
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Macmillan Education Namibia
Abstract
Energy security is one of the most important future challenges for the international
agenda of security, peace, and stability worldwide. Increasing energy supply needs
and the aim of achieving greater energy independence are playing a mounting role in
politics, not only in the United States, Europe, Russia, China and India, but also in
Africa as the continent with the highest potential for energy resources for the future.
The quest for control and commercialisation of energy resources is also a reality in
sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria and Angola are the biggest oil-exporting countries after the
countries of the Middle East. Namibia is one of the biggest uranium-exploiting countries,
while Tanzania may in future become one of the most important gas-exporting African
countries to world markets. The United Nations forecasts that the African population
will be around 2 billion people in 2050, and therefore the expanding demand for energy
will be one of the challenges with which Africa is faced, along with poverty reduction,
food security, water security and combating the impacts of climate change. But Africa’s
challenges are also world challenges, because energy security is a global priority, with
global markets, interests and needs.
More than ever, a reliable discussion about the importance of coordinating secure energy
supplies worldwide, and especially the impact on Africa, is essential for the future of
this continent, as part of the international energy security structure. The African Union
represents a continent which is faced with different aims, security interests and needs,
if one compares the destabilising developments over the past 10 years in the north,
south, east and west of Africa. Which path will Africa take in respect of rapidly growing
energy demands on the continent – the European or the Asian path?
Description
Book Chapter
Keywords
Renewable energy, Sub-sahara Africa, Energy security, Legal and Policy framework, Climate-friendly energy, Africa, Development