The objective of this study is to evaluate whether improving the efficiency at which energy is employed can help Sub-Saharan African nations to attain their energy sustainability objectives. As opposed to the conventional approaches, the multidimensional aspects of energy sustainability are captured in this study by predicting an energy sustainability index using four key targets mentioned under
... [Show full abstract] the seventh sustainable development goal. Overall, for the entire panel, the findings reveal that a 1% rise in the energy efficiency level increases the energy sustainability index by around 11% in the long run. Thus, energy efficiency improvements can be expected to complement the energy sustainability agenda of the Sub-Saharan African nations. In contrast, economic growth is witnessed to impede energy sustainability within these nations. However, the results also certify that energy efficiency improvement performs a mediating role in neutralizing the energy sustainability-dampening effects of economic growth. In addition, carbon dioxide emissions-related environmental adversities are found to encourage the Sub-Saharan African nations to implement policies related to attainment of energy sustainability Besides, trade and financial globalization are witnessed to impede and stimulate energy sustainability, respectively, across this region. Moreover, financial development is seen to facilitate energy sustainability while higher population growth is observed to abate energy sustainability across Sub-Saharan Africa. Finally, implementation of the Kyoto Protocol is found to be contributing to the attainment of energy sustainability by these nations. In light of these findings, several energy sustainability-related policies are recommended.
