60
M. Irowarisima
of these cannot be realized without a robust regional financial, social and
political cooperation.
Among other areas, regional cooperation has a role to play in the
implementation of structural reforms that will encourage private sector
activity and improve the energy business environment. ECOWAS and
SADC should play a role in the implementation of fiscal discipline and
consolidation that involves a shift in spending from inefficient uses such
as subsidy payments that further acts as a temporary solution to the price
issue in the sector. Aside, doing away with subsidies in certain countries
in the region that reduces the burden on the government budget, liberalizing the energy market can help to correct the allocative inefficiencies
in the use of energy in ECOWAS and SADC regions. Having said this,
it is pertinent to proceed in the direction of identifying areas that require
regional cooperation to achieve the productivity of the energy sector for
the overall economic growth of the various countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa especially.
2.4.1 The Harmonization of Energy Legal
Frameworks, Policies and Regulations
The harmonization of policies, frameworks and regulations that govern
the technical operations of energy within the regions of ECOWAS and
SADC is key in the transformation of energy access in the region.
Although, there are steps taken by both regions in terms regional cooperation in tackling energy challenges in the region, very little has been
done in terms of harmonizing the frameworks and policies for all
countries within the region.
65 There is a serious disparity in energy
framework, policies and regulations that have continuously hampered
energy access. Thus, one would conveniently say that the first area for
regional cooperation must revolve around the quick harmonization of
policies, regulations and frameworks in the energy sector.
65 D Santley, R Schlotterer, and A Eberhard, ‘Harnessing African Natural Gas: A New
Opportunity for Africa’s Energy Agenda?’, Energy and Extractives Global Practice World
Bank (Washington, DC, 2014), https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/
20685/896220WP0P1318040Box0385289B00OUO0900ACS.pdf, accessed March 19, 2020.
M. Irowarisima
of these cannot be realized without a robust regional financial, social and
political cooperation.
Among other areas, regional cooperation has a role to play in the
implementation of structural reforms that will encourage private sector
activity and improve the energy business environment. ECOWAS and
SADC should play a role in the implementation of fiscal discipline and
consolidation that involves a shift in spending from inefficient uses such
as subsidy payments that further acts as a temporary solution to the price
issue in the sector. Aside, doing away with subsidies in certain countries
in the region that reduces the burden on the government budget, liberalizing the energy market can help to correct the allocative inefficiencies
in the use of energy in ECOWAS and SADC regions. Having said this,
it is pertinent to proceed in the direction of identifying areas that require
regional cooperation to achieve the productivity of the energy sector for
the overall economic growth of the various countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa especially.
2.4.1 The Harmonization of Energy Legal
Frameworks, Policies and Regulations
The harmonization of policies, frameworks and regulations that govern
the technical operations of energy within the regions of ECOWAS and
SADC is key in the transformation of energy access in the region.
Although, there are steps taken by both regions in terms regional cooperation in tackling energy challenges in the region, very little has been
done in terms of harmonizing the frameworks and policies for all
countries within the region.
65 There is a serious disparity in energy
framework, policies and regulations that have continuously hampered
energy access. Thus, one would conveniently say that the first area for
regional cooperation must revolve around the quick harmonization of
policies, regulations and frameworks in the energy sector.
65 D Santley, R Schlotterer, and A Eberhard, ‘Harnessing African Natural Gas: A New
Opportunity for Africa’s Energy Agenda?’, Energy and Extractives Global Practice World
Bank (Washington, DC, 2014), https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/
20685/896220WP0P1318040Box0385289B00OUO0900ACS.pdf, accessed March 19, 2020.