Governance and the energy transition in developing nations: Attaining sustainable development
Keywords:
Governance, Energy Transition, Renewable Energy, Developing Nations, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
The global shift towards renewable energy is crucial for achieving sustainable development; however, developing nations encounter unique governance challenges in making this transition. This study explores the role of governance in promoting energy transitions in four developing countries: Nigeria, India, Brazil, and Morocco. These countries were selected from their various regions to provide comparative insights from the period 2010 to 2025. By employing a comparative qualitative case study design, the research utilizes governance theory, institutional theory, political economy theory, and perspectives on sustainable development to evaluate how governance structures, policy frameworks, and institutional capacity influence the adoption of renewable energy for sustainable development. Data were collected from policy documents, international agency reports, and peer-reviewed literature, and analyzed using thematic and comparative methods. The findings indicate that governance is a critical factor determining the pace and effectiveness of energy transitions. The comparative analysis demonstrates that while all four countries have articulated ambitious renewable energy policies, their progress has been uneven due to persistent governance and institutional barriers. The study concludes that effective governance is vital for moving from ambitious policies to actual renewable energy transformation. It recommends context-specific governance reforms aimed at enhancing institutional capacity, strengthening regulatory independence, and fostering inclusive stakeholder engagement. By emphasizing governance as the key to energy transition, this study contributes valuable insights for both academics and policymakers in developing contexts.
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