Segurança Energética na África Ocidental

Abstract

West Africa stands out for its rich reserves of hydrocarbons and natural resources aimed at renewable energy production. However, despite this potential, the region faces rapid population growth. Lack of access to electricity and clean cooking sources are some of the significant challenges in much of this area. In this context, this study aims to explore the demands and actions offered by institutions, both regional and extra-regional, in West Africa's energy security. The objective is to identify the needs of the region's countries, specifically since the 2000s, regarding energy production, storage, distribution, and control, aiming to meet social and national demands. The adopted hypothesis suggests that West African states suffer from inadequate infrastructure to handle energy production, storage, transmission, transportation, and control. This results in a strong dependence on the international private sector, which often prioritizes the extraction of energy resources for export over the development of projects that meet the region's actual needs. Regarding methodology, this study adopts an exploratory, hypothetico-deductive approach, using the synchronous case study procedure and employing bibliographic and documentary research techniques. The data processing method is qualitative.