Bad Gains: Effects of Fossil Fuel Energy on Africa
Enongene Rex Nkumbe *
Africana Studies and Research Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Energy is indispensable to global economic development and human development. Through the course of history, different energy sources have been used to fuel economic growth and better human life. The fossil economy fuelled unprecedented economic growth that was not possible with previous energy epochs. The development brought about by fossil fuels has not been beneficial for all and this paper argues that fossil fuel energy sources; specifically oil and gas have had more of negative political and socio-cultural implications for Africa. Using secondary data sources from books, articles and reports, the study finds out that oil resources have helped is sustaining dictatorships and socioeconomic hardship in oil producing countries in Africa.
Keywords: Africa, energy, energy transition, fossil fuels.