A Systems Thinking Model for Energy Policy Design in Sub-Saharan Africa

References

[1] ADDIN EN.REFLIST [1]J. Gregory and B. K. Sovacool, "Rethinking the governance of energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: reviewing three academic perspectives on electricity infrastructure investment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, vol. 111, pp. 344-354, 2019.

[2] [2]A. Eberhard, V. Foster, C. Briceño-Garmendia, F. Ouedraogo, D. Camos, and M. Shkaratan, "Underpowered: the state of the power sector in Sub-Saharan Africa," 2008.

[3] [3]I. Baptista, "Space and energy transitions in sub-Saharan Africa: understated historical connections," Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 36, pp. 30-35, 2018.

[4] [4]S. N. Acharya, "Perspectives and problems of development in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 109-147, 1981.

[5] [5]N. Van de Walle, "The institutional origins of inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa," Annual Review of Political Science, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 307-327, 2009.

[6] [6]T. V. Mphigalale, "Infrastructure investment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Opportunities, risks and prospects for economic development," 2020.

[7] [7]T. Addison, "Underdevelopment, transition and reconstruction in sub-Saharan Africa," 1998.

[8] [8]O. B. Arewa, "Constructing Africa: Chinese investment, infrastructure deficits, and development," Cornell Int'l LJ, vol. 49, p. 101, 2016.

[9] [9]S. Oliete Josa and F. Magrinyà, "Patchwork in an interconnected world: the challenges of transport networks in Sub-Saharan Africa," Transport Reviews, vol. 38, no. 6, pp. 710-736, 2018.

[10] [10]I. Baptista and J. Plananska, "The landscape of energy initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa: Going for systemic change or reinforcing the status quo?," Energy policy, vol. 110, pp. 1-8, 2017.

[11] [11]E. S. Sanneh, "Systems thinking for sustainable development," Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2018.

[12] [12]G. Austin, "10 Sub-Saharan Africa," A History of the Global Economy: 1500 to the Present, p. 316, 2016.

[13] [13]A. Paxton and L. J. Frost, "Using systems thinking to train future leaders in global health," Global Public Health, vol. 13, no. 9, pp. 1287-1295, 2018.

[14] [14]P. I. Okoye, "A novel systems approach to energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa: A South African informal settlement case study," University of Pretoria, 2020.

[15] [15]J. Glenn, K. Kamara, Z. A. Umar, T. Chahine, N. Daulaire, and T. Bossert, "Applied systems thinking: a viable approach to identify leverage points for accelerating progress towards ending neglected tropical diseases," Health research policy and systems, vol. 18, pp. 1-15, 2020.

[16] [16]G. Silvestri et al., "Transition management for improving the sustainability of WASH services in informal settlements in Sub-Saharan Africa—An exploration," Sustainability, vol. 10, no. 11, p. 4052, 2018.

[17] [17]S. Deets, V. Rodgers, S. Erzurumlu, and D. Nersessian, "Systems thinking as a tool for teaching undergraduate business students humanistic management," Humanistic Management Journal, vol. 5, pp. 177-197, 2020.

[18] [18]G. A. Hurst et al., "International perspectives on green and sustainable chemistry education via systems thinking," Journal of Chemical Education, vol. 96, no. 12, pp. 2794-2804, 2019.

[19] [19]J. Seppänen, "Systems ideology in human and social sciences," Systems: New paradigms for the human sciences, pp. 180-302, 1998.

[20] [20]E. Laszlo and A. Laszlo, "The contribution of the systems sciences to the humanities," Systems Research and Behavioral Science: The Official Journal of the International Federation for Systems Research, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 5-19, 1997.

[21] [21]M. K. Kmon, "Systems Thinking in the Forest Service: a Framework to Guide Practical Application for Social-Ecological Management in the Enterprise Program," Portland State University, 2016.

[22] [22]M.-O. Olsson and G. Sjöstedt, "Systems and systems theory," Systems approaches and their application: examples from Sweden, pp. 3-29, 2005.

[23] [23]C. Pahl-Wostl, "A conceptual framework for analysing adaptive capacity and multi-level learning processes in resource governance regimes," Global environmental change, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 354-365, 2009.

[24] [24]E. Ostrom and M. A. Janssen, "Multi-level governance and resilience of social-ecological systems," Globalisation, poverty and conflict, vol. 239, 2004.

[25] [25]M. Brockhaus, H. Djoudi, and H. Kambire, "Multi-level governance and adaptive capacity in West Africa," International Journal of the Commons, vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 200-232, 2012.

[26] [26]S. Basu, C. S. Bale, T. Wehnert, and K. Topp, "A complexity approach to defining urban energy systems," Cities, vol. 95, p. 102358, 2019.

[27] [27]C. S. Bale, L. Varga, and T. J. Foxon, "Energy and complexity: New ways forward," Applied Energy, vol. 138, pp. 150-159, 2015.

[28] [28]J. Hodbod and W. N. Adger, "Integrating social-ecological dynamics and resilience into energy systems research," Energy Research & Social Science, vol. 1, pp. 226-231, 2014.

[29] [29]S. Junginger, "Design and innovation in the public sector: Matters of design in policy-making and policy implementation," Annual Review of Policy Design, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-11, 2013.

[30] [30]P. J. May, "Policy design and implementation," The Sage handbook of public administration, pp. 279-291, 2012.

[31] [31]K. B. Smith and C. W. Larimer, The public policy theory primer. Routledge, 2018.

[32] [32]S. H. Linder and B. G. Peters, "From social theory to policy design," Journal of Public Policy, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 237-259, 1984.

[33] [33]F. Fischer and G. J. Miller, Handbook of public policy analysis: theory, politics, and methods. Routledge, 2017.

[34] [34]A. G. Dagnachew, A. F. Hof, M. R. Roelfsema, and D. P. van Vuuren, "Actors and governance in the transition toward universal electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa," Energy Policy, vol. 143, p. 111572, 2020.

[35] [35]P. Newell and H. Bulkeley, "Landscape for change? International climate policy and energy transitions: evidence from sub-Saharan Africa," Climate Policy, vol. 17, no. 5, pp. 650-663, 2017.

[36] [36]N. Sackeyfio, Sackeyfio, and Pusca, Energy Politics and Rural Development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Springer, 2018.

[37] [37]N. Avila, J. P. Carvallo, B. Shaw, and D. M. Kammen, "The energy challenge in sub-Saharan Africa: A guide for advocates and policy makers," Generating Energy for Sustainable and Equitable Development, Part, vol. 1, pp. 1-79, 2017.

[38] [38]I. H. Rehman et al., "Understanding the political economy and key drivers of energy access in addressing national energy access priorities and policies," Energy Policy, vol. 47, pp. 27-37, 2012.

[39] [39]Y. Mulugetta and L. Agbemabiese, "Sustainable energy systems in Africa," Transformational Infrastructure for Development of a Wellbeing Economy in Africa, vol. 14, p. 73, 2019.

[40] [40]Y. Omorogbe and A. Ordor, Ending Africa's Energy Deficit and the Law: Achieving Sustainable Energy for All in Africa. Oxford university press, 2018.

[41] [41]A. Estache, Q. Wodon, and K. Lomas, Infrastructure and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Springer, 2014.

[42] [42]B. W. Tarekegne, "Designing for Just Energy Access: Electrification Planning in Sub-Saharan Africa," Michigan Technological University, 2020.

[43] [43]K. M. Chan et al., "Levers and leverage points for pathways to sustainability," People and Nature, vol. 2, no. 3, pp. 693-717, 2020.

[44] [44]F. M. Y. Roxas, J. P. R. Rivera, and E. L. M. Gutierrez, "Locating potential leverage points in a systems thinking causal loop diagram toward policy intervention," World Futures, vol. 75, no. 8, pp. 609-631, 2019.

[45] [45]R. J. Murphy and P. Jones, "Leverage analysis: A method for locating points of influence in systemic design decisions," FormAkademisk-forskningstidsskrift for design og designdidaktikk, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 1-25, 2020.

@article{1709803,
      author = {Mohammed Lawal Giwah, Zamathula Sikhakhane Nwokediegwu, Emmanuel Augustine Etukudoh, Ebimor Yinka Gbabo},
      title = {A Systems Thinking Model for Energy Policy Design in Sub-Saharan Africa},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2020},
      volume = {3},
      number = {7},
      pages = {313-320},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1709803.pdf},
      abstract = {Sub-Saharan Africa faces persistent energy challenges marked by uneven access, infrastructural deficits, and fragmented governance, which hinder sustainable development and equitable growth. Traditional linear policy approaches have proven inadequate in addressing the complex and interconnected nature of energy systems in the region. This paper proposes a systems thinking model tailored to the unique socio-political and environmental context of Sub-Saharan Africa?s energy sector. Drawing on theoretical insights from systems thinking, complexity science, and policy design theory, the study identifies critical structural constraints, including institutional fragmentation, infrastructural inequities, and political economy dynamics that impede effective reform. The proposed model emphasizes holistic policy mapping and stakeholder integration, adaptive management through feedback loops and data flows, and the identification of strategic leverage points for systemic transformation. By fostering inclusivity, continuous learning, and targeted interventions, the framework advances a coherent and adaptive approach to energy policy design. The paper concludes with strategic implications highlighting how systems thinking can support resilient, inclusive, and sustainable energy futures, and offers practical recommendations for policymakers, reform practitioners, and international partners. This approach aligns with regional and global development agendas and provides a pathway for overcoming entrenched challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa?s energy governance landscape.},
      keywords = {Systems Thinking, Energy Policy, Sub-Saharan Africa, Adaptive Management, Policy Design, Sustainable Development},
      month = {January},
  }