Harnessing renewable energy for industrialization and economic diversification in Central Africa

Abstract

Like the entire African region, Central Africa has recorded important economic growth rates over the past two decades. However, while sources of growth are gradually diversifying in Africa as a whole, Central Africa continues to rely heavily on the production and export of raw materials, especially oil. The industrial sector of the subregion contributes little to total value added, as it remains focused either on resource-based manufacturing or traditional low-technology activities characterized by limited productivity. The present report assesses the role of renewable energy in the energy, industrialization and diversification-related challenges facing Central Africa. It examines the factors that have hampered the development of renewable energy in the subregion and identifies the most promising policy and regulatory options, along with the policy actions required to stimulate broader and accelerated market-based dissemination of renewable energy in the subregion.