Renewable energy is shaped more by politics than technocratic fixes

Electricity can change lives, but in many rural parts of Ghana access is limited by political dynamics. Abdul Bassit Abubakar’s PhD research explores how renewable energy could provide opportunity and sustainable development to rural communities often left off the national grid.

By Elena Adamo

When Abdul Bassit Abubakar began studying sociology at the University of Ghana in 2007, electricity was not even on his mind – people were. “Sociology gives you a different perspective,” he says. “Even things we think are personal are shaped by the environment we come from. Nothing in society is inherently bad, it’s mostly about context.”

Testing this thought after his degree, Abdul taught social studies in a high school and saw how public decisions affected daily life: “Some students couldn’t progress simply because they had no electricity at home, so they could only study for a limited amount of time.”

This experience led him back to academia to pursue a Master’s in Public Administration and Management, where his master’s thesis explored how politics shapes social programmes. He found that cash transfers, meant to help vulnerable citizens, were sometimes influenced by political loyalty. “It showed me how politics and power relations determine who benefits from development, and for how long,” he explains.

From sociology to renewable energy

In 2022, Abdul began his PhD, joining the Danida-funded  Energy Struggles: Renewable Energy in Africa project, His research focuses on renewable energy in rural Ghana, particularly how solar mini-grids can extend power to rural Ghana, where connecting to the national grid is often too costly. More specifically, it examines the political economy of renewable energy. As Abdul explains: “Electricity provision is a political process. Someone has to decide who gets access, when, and how. Even the choice of technology is political.”

Seen from a broader perspective, his work helps to explain why progress in renewable energy has been uneven across Africa and globally, despite ambitious national targets.

Moving beyond explanations: key findings

Abdul’s research offers practical guidance for rural electrification in Ghana. Instead of relying on generic “one-size-fits-all” strategies, he shows how decisions must take into account local political, economic and social realities. As he puts it, “The private sector doesn’t guess when to enter the market – it seizes the right moment.”

His findings highlight how different actors – donors, government, the private sector and citizens – each play a crucial role in shaping who gets access to electricity, when, and how:

Donors: International donors have a powerful influence on rural electrification, but their approaches are often divided. Some prioritise private-sector-led projects, while others fund government-led mini-grids. Abdul’s findings suggest that donors should coordinate and base interventions on local realities rather than ideological preferences.

Government: Political context strongly shapes electrification efforts. In Ghana, national policies support rural electrification, but implementation can be politically motivated. For instance, electrification projects have historically been used to win voters´ support more than to address genuine community needs. Recognising this dynamic is critical for designing future programmes.

Private sector: Opportunities for private companies exist but are often limited by shifting political landscapes. During the 2012-2016 power crisis in Ghana, the renewable energy company, Black Star Energy, received a temporary license to operate mini-grids, showing that crises can create windows for private innovation. However, when the crisis ended and a new government came into power, the company was removed, highlighting how political changes can abruptly change market opportunities. Understanding this timing is crucial for the private-sector engagement.

Citizens: Local communities frequently lack influence over energy decisions, even though they are directly affected. Abdul emphasises that sustainable electrification requires active engagement with citizens.

A researcher, but also an activist 

Beyond academia, Abdul, together with some colleagues, has registered a civil society organisation to promote local development in key policy areas, including energy governance, the training of young researchers, and the connecting of scholarship with real-world impact.

“We want research to be useful, not just papers on a shelf,” he says. “Energy gives people more than light – it gives them opportunity.” For Abdul, the future of renewable energy in Africa depends not only on solar panels and grids, but on politics, participation and people.

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