A study conducted by a researcher Adun from Operational Research Centre in Healthcare, Near East University sheds light on the critical issue of energy security in West Africa, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the region’s energy challenges. Despite the abundance of energy resources in the West African region, the translation into sustainable energy security remains elusive, posing significant obstacles to economic growth and social development.
The study, which focuses on five key West African countries – Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Togo – employs a comprehensive assessment framework comprising nine energy security indicators. Utilizing the entropy-TOPSIS methodology of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM), the study analyzes data spanning two decades (2000–2019) to derive a nuanced understanding of energy security dynamics in the region.
Findings from the study reveal notable disparities in energy security levels among the countries examined. While Cote d’Ivoire is reported to have achieved a “safe” level of sustainable energy security, Togo faces a “dangerous” situation due to deficiencies in energy, economic, and societal security.
Key observations include Nigeria’s improving energy security index over the study period, signaling progress in addressing energy challenges. Moreover, the study underscores the significant impact of renewable energy share in final energy consumption, highlighting its pivotal role in shaping energy security outcomes.
The study’s implications extend to policymakers at national and regional levels, emphasizing the imperative for stronger legal measures to ensure the implementation of energy and climate goals. Countries with weaker performance underscore the urgency for decisive action to bolster energy security and climate resilience.
However, the study acknowledges limitations, including the need for alternative methods to estimate indicator weights and the absence of sensitivity analysis on MCDM’s impact on country rankings. Future research endeavors by the authors may explore hybrid approaches for weight selection and complementary correlation analyses to enhance the robustness of findings.
This study provides valuable insights into sustainable energy security in West Africa, offering a foundation for informed policymaking and strategic interventions to address the region’s energy challenges and advance its socio-economic development agenda.
More Information:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-023-28116-5
