DOES ENERGY POVERTY AFFECT ECONOMIC GROWTH IN ECOWAS COUNTRIES?

Authors : Serap Barış, Zehra Nur Erden

Pages : 117-136

View : 235 | Download : 189

Publication Date : 2025-12-25

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Although energy consumption is known to be an important factor in the economic growth and development processes of nations, access to modern energy services is currently inadequate in most low-income or developing countries. \\\"Energy poverty\\\" refers to a situation in which individuals or households have limited access to electricity, lack access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking, or do not have sufficient income to provide the energy required to meet their basic needs. In this study, the impact of energy poverty on economic growth is investigated using data for the period 2000-2020 for 13 member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In the research based on panel data analysis processes, access to electricity and access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking were considered as indicators of energy poverty and their effects on economic growth were evaluated. The analysis findings show that access to electricity and clean fuels and technologies for cooking have a positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth in ECOWAS countries. Accordingly, policies to eliminate energy poverty are important for ensuring economic growth in ECOWAS countries. Increasing access to energy and using clean fuel types instead of traditional fuels are essential for sustainable growth
Keywords : Enerji Yoksulluğu, Enerjiye erişim, Ekonomik Büyüme, ECOWAS Ülkeleri

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