POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON RENEWABLE ENERGY TRANSITION FOR SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIALIZATION IN AFRICA: AN APPRAISAL

Abstract

Industrialization is an indispensable catalyst for the development of national economy. This is a globally acknowledged phenomenon. Energy security is a cardinal infrastructural requirement for sustainable industrialization. This is due to the fact that industrial operations are propelled by energy supply. Energy consumption produces enormous environmental and climate effects. This has formed the basis for the global agitation for energy transition to renewable (clean or green) energy, as against the non-renewable energy that is popularly known for its hazardous impact on the environment. Although, Africa is naturally endowed with colossal amount of renewable and non-renewable energy resources, however, the continent is plagued with energy poverty and deficiency. This has contributed substantially to the crippling of industrial activities in the region. The objective of this work, inter alia, is to examine how transition to renewable energy can stimulate industrialization in Africa. An essential question to be addressed here is: why is it challenging for African countries to achieve massive industrialization that is propelled by renewable energy. The fulcrum of this work is predicated on the fact that industrial revolution that is driven by renewable and sustainable energy infrastructure is indispensable to the economic prosperity of Africa. This work will be significant to the government, political leaders, economists, industrialists, investors, business owners, policy and opinion molders, scholars, researchers and members of the general public. The work adopts doctrinal approach of data collection and analysis including primary and secondary sources such as Statutes, policy documents, books, journals, relevant publications and materials from the internet source, etc. This research highlights African industrial trajectory and her renewable energy potentials. In order to achieve sustainable economic prosperity, African leaders must effectively exploit and deploy the continent’s renewable energy resources to galvanize industrialization and the economic development of the continent.