Household analysis of energy poverty inequalities and transitions: A cross-country study of Rwanda and Malawi

Abstract

In resource-constrained country settings coupled with growing population such as Rwanda and Malawi, countries which are still ranked as low income and majority are rural dwellers who depend on biomass fuels to meet basic energy need, the opportunity cost of resource collection and its adverse effects remain a big concern from human well-being perspective. In contrast to earlier studies that focused only on energy access, this cross-country study investigates the status of energy poverty, inequalities and transitions amongst Rwandan and Malawian households from micro-economic perspective. The overall goal of the doctoral research study was to assess the status quo for energy poverty, inequalities and transitions at household level. The specific objectives were investigated based on publications and are presented under specific chapters. Firstly, chapter 1 presents general introduction and background information regarding theoretical frameworks. This thesis addressed these specific objectives: (1) To analyse the state of energy poverty and its determinants; (2) To assess how energy insecurity influence the education and health outcomes at household level; (3) To explore fuel choices, transitions and inequalities with special interest on the Sustainable Development Goal number 7. On data sources, the study utilised data from the nationally representative samples, collected under Household Integrated Living Standards surveys from the two countries. In terms of methods, the study employed mixed methods and different analytical techniques in order to address the specific objectives with full details under each chapter. Empirical evidence from this investigation is very timely and critical to shape two countries’ public policies that will embrace the notions of energy transition readiness and social inclusion within the developing country contexts.