An Analysis of North Africa's Capacity to Achieve Renewable Energy Development

Abstract

Although blessed with abundant solar and wind energies, North Africa has yet to maximise its socioeconomic gain from tapping these resources. In view of North African demographic and middle class expansion, energy demand is set to increase. Tapping renewable energy sources will not only address these problems, but also will be an impetus to the faltering socioeconomic dynamic the region needs to boost sustainable development to benefit from globalisation. However, with bureaucratic-laden institutions and corruptions hindering the private sector from flourishing, governments are compelled to mobilise public finances to cover the lack of private investments in renewable energy projects. Increasing investments in education and R&D to meet skills demand for renewable energy projects that continues to lag behind foreign contents as the primary input. Skills mismatch between the labour force and technology intensive renewable energy industry is a result of the people's aspiration and desire to work for the government shaped by post-independence policies. The challenge for North Africa policy makers is beyond correcting institutional deficiencies to transform its business environment, but also to influence change in the perception and attitude of the public.