Human Capital Development amid Energy Injustice: Rethinking Energy Justice and Institutional Quality in Sub-Saharan Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajds.v4i1.5986Keywords:
ARDL-ECM, Energy Justice, Human Capital Development, Institutional Quality, Sub-Saharan AfricaAbstract
This study examines the nexus between energy justice, institutional quality, and human capital development (HCI) in Sub-Saharan Africa, using a balanced panel of 46 countries between 2000 and 2023. Employing System GMM and validating with a Panel ARDL-ECM, the results reveal that energy justice significantly enhances human capital outcomes by improving access, affordability, and equity in energy services. Institutional quality also emerges as a critical enabler of HCI through improved governance and resource management. Interestingly, the interaction between energy justice and institutional quality is negative and significant, suggesting diminishing marginal returns when both improve simultaneously. The strong and significant error correction term confirms long-run convergence, reinforcing the robustness of the results. Policy recommendations emphasize integrated strategies that combine governance reforms with equitable energy policies to maximize human capital development in the region. The findings provide fresh insights into the structural pathways linking energy governance and inclusive development.
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