A significantly large energy deficit and high vulnerability to climate change seriously impede sub-Saharan Africa’s path towards sustainable and inclusive growth. The extent to which the region can leverage the opportunities offered by renewable energy is an important policy question with implications for economic research. This special issue argues that policy and institutional reforms as well as good governance will play an important role in opening up the energy sector to private investment and expanding the fiscal space. Such a constellation, by increasing investment in the energy sector, would allow for increased access to reliable and affordable electricity by both households and businesses, which should help unleash Africa’s potential. Several future areas of research are also identified.

中文翻译：

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非洲的能源更新：能源短缺和气候变化的双重挑战

巨大的能源短缺和对气候变化的高度脆弱性严重阻碍了撒哈拉以南非洲走向可持续和包容性增长的道路。该地区可以在多大程度上利用可再生能源提供的机会是一个重要的政策问题，对经济研究有影响。本期特刊认为，政策和体制改革以及善治将在向私人投资开放能源部门和扩大财政空间方面发挥重要作用。通过增加对能源部门的投资，这样的星座将允许家庭和企业更多地获得可靠且负担得起的电力，这将有助于释放非洲的潜力。还确定了几个未来的研究领域。