Ecowas renewable energy development legal and policy framework: analysing the impact of regional integration on energy transition and sustainable development

Japhet, Ebiere (2026) Ecowas renewable energy development legal and policy framework: analysing the impact of regional integration on energy transition and sustainable development. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

A strong legal and policy framework underpins the successful development of renewable energy. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has established a pioneering regional legal and policy framework, including the ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies, to promote an energy transition and advance sustainable development. However, the region continues to face acute energy poverty and low deployment of renewable energy infrastructure, signalling a significant policy implementation gap. This research critically examines the ECOWAS legal and policy framework for renewable energy development. Therefore, this research investigates if and how regional integration and cooperation can promote renewable energy development and support the energy transition in the ECOWAS sub-region, drawing on relevant lessons from the European Union.

The research objectives are as follows: to investigate the global legal framework for renewable energy development; review the ECOWAS’ approach to regional integration; evaluate global concepts of regional integration in support of renewable energy development, sustainable development, and energy transition; and conduct a critical assessment of ECOWAS laws and policies related to renewable energy development. Additionally, this research offers a comparative analysis of the legal frameworks of the European Union (EU) and ECOWAS concerning renewable energy development and energy transition. Consequently, this research argues that the specific legal form of regional integration is a crucial factor in shaping legal and policy outcomes. This research employs doctrinal legal analysis to identify significant legal and policy gaps within the ECOWAS legal regime and institutional structures, particularly in enforcement, implementation, evaluation, monitoring, and regional cooperation.

Furthermore, a comparative method examines the ECOWAS framework in relation to the EU’s advanced energy governance model. Theoretically, the research explores the interaction between neofunctionalism and intergovernmentalism approaches to regional integration. This research argues that the EU’s success can be attributed to a neofunctionalist approach, where integration in energy policy has prompted spillover effects, encouraging deeper political and economic union, supported by strong supranational institutions. In stark contrast, ECOWAS remains fundamentally intergovernmental, prioritising national sovereignty, which results in a framework hindered by voluntary compliance, weak implementation plans, and a lack of robust enforcement, evaluation, and monitoring mechanisms. The analysis concludes that this intergovernmental character impedes the creation of a coordinated legal framework for renewable energy and hampers investment in the ECOWAS region. While politically pragmatic, it causes a fundamental disconnect between regional aspirations and national implementation. This research recommends an adapted approach towards a supranational regional renewable energy legal and policy framework for ECOWAS, incorporating stronger accountability measures and context-specific capacity-building provisions to mitigate energy poverty and support the energy transition and sustainable development. Specifically, this research makes significant contributions to knowledge in the field of regional integration, particularly in the context of legal frameworks, by providing in-depth insights into the binding aspects of the ECOWAS integration legal system, with a focus on renewable energy governance structures, institutions, and systems.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Additional Information: Supported by funding from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF).
• Keywords: ECOWAS, renewable energy, legal framework, policy, regional integration, neofunctionalism, intergovernmentalism, energy transition, sustainable development, comparative research method, EU, supranationalism, energy poverty.
• Subjects: K Law > K Law (General)
• Colleges/Schools: College of Social Sciences > School of Law
• Supervisor's Name: Jokubauskaite, Dr. Giedre, Chadwick, Dr. Anna and Tams, Professor Christian J.
• Date of Award: 2026
• Depositing User: Theses Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:2026-85856
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 02 Apr 2026 12:54
• Last Modified: 02 Apr 2026 12:54
• Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.85856
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/85856