Energizing the Inter-regional Cooperation and Energy Governance: An Exploration of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership

Abstract

The evolution of global energy governance is driven by a significant shift in energy technology, moving from carbon-intensive sources to cleaner alternatives. This transition is more than just technological; it encompasses the emergence of various inter-regional, regional, and sub-regional groupings aimed at enhancing governance capabilities across nations. This research focuses on the inter-regional partnership between Africa and the European Union, established to support collaborative energy decision-making. Employing thematic analysis, the study explores existing literature and reports on the Africa-EU partnership to assess its impact on the future of the African energy sector. By adopting a neoliberal perspective, the research argues that the limited state capacity in energy governance in Africa may require such partnerships to foster energy sector development. The study concludes that, given Africa's substantial renewable energy potential, particularly in solar irradiation, and the significant energy access challenges in the Sub-Saharan region, external support through technological and financial aid could catalyze the effective utilization of this potential.