Paper short abstract:

This paper compares the regional renewable energy policy pursued by both ECOWAS/UEMOA and SADC by pointing out the similarities and differences of their respective policy. It also highlights their respective successes and challenges and presents lessons both organizations can learn from each other.

Paper long abstract:

The need to ensure energy security, particularly reliable, widespread and affordable power supplies, has become a major policy priority for African governments. With concerns about climate change and increasing deforestation, there is an urgent need to diversify Africa's energy sources away from the current high dependence on coal, hydro and non-hydro renewable sources of power. It is argued that promoting the development and use of renewable energy resources can significantly contribute to enhancing electricity and energy accessibility in Africa. However, the analysis of the challenges facing African countries make it clear that only the adoption of a common regional energy policy can successfully ensure increased access to energy services in a sustainable way. Many regional organizations, including the Economic Commission of West African States (ECOWAS/UMEOA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have engaged respectively in a common regional energy policy in order to meet this objective. However, depending on the challenges these regional organizations have to face, they develop different policies and strategies. This paper compares the regional renewable energy policy pursued by both regional organizations by pointing out the similarities and differences of their respective policy. It also provides explanations for these differences and similarities and highlights their respective successes and challenges. Moreover, the paper presents lessons both ECOWAS/UEMOA and SADC can learn from each over.