Provision of electricity to African households: The importance of democracy and institutional quality. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahlborg, Helene; Boräng, Frida; Jagers, Sverker C.; Söderholm, Patrik
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 87(2015)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 135
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Africa -- Household electricity use -- Democracy -- Institutional quality; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.09.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: How can differences in per capita household electricity consumption across African countries be understood? Based on theories that highlight the importance of democracy and institutional quality for provision of public goods, the aim of the paper is to analyse the degree to which the level of per capita household electricity consumption in African countries can be attributed to the countries' democratic status and their institutional quality. We rely on regression analysis employing a pooled data set for 44 African countries over the time period 1996–2009. The analysis shows that democracy and institutional quality both have significant positive effects on per capita household consumption of electricity. Our results have implications for how energy sector reforms are promoted in developing countries. At a more general level they illustrate that institution-building policy efforts are relevant also in areas where contemporary debates have tended to primarily centre on economic development, financial prerequisites and ownership issues. Highlights: Differences in household electricity use across African countries are studied. Empirical analysis is based on data from 44 countries over the period 1996–2009. The results display the importance of both democracy and institutional quality. This suggests a stronger focus on institution-building efforts in energy reforms.