Abstract:
The core objective of this study is to evaluate whether improving energy use efficiency can help Sub-
Saharan African nations to attain their energy sustainability objectives. As opposed to the conventional
approaches, the multidimensional aspects of energy sustainability are captured in this study by
predicting an energy sustainability index using data related to four key targets mentioned under the
seventh sustainable development goal declared by the United Nations. Overall, for the entire panel,
the findings reveal that a 1% rise in the energy efficiency level increases the energy sustainability
index by around 11% in the long run. Thus, energy efficiency improvements can be expected to
complement the energy sustainability agenda of the Sub-Saharan African nations. In contrast, economic
growth is witnessed to impede energy sustainability within these nations. However, the results also
certify that energy efficiency improvement performs a mediating role in neutralizing the energy
sustainability-inhibiting effects of economic growth. In addition, higher emissions of carbon dioxide
found to encourage the Sub-Saharan African nations to implement policies related to attainment of
energy sustainability. Besides, trade and financial globalization are also witnessed to impede and
stimulate energy sustainability, respectively. Furthermore, the results reveal that financial development
facilitates energy sustainability attainment while higher population growth inflicts opposite impacts.
Finally, implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is evidenced to be contributing to the attainment of
energy sustainability in the selected Sub-Saharan African nations. In light of these findings, several
energy sustainability-related policies are recommended.
