← All articles

Photo · Gordon More

Rural Energy Access and Agricultural Productivity in South Africa

Opeyemi Nathaniel Oladunjoye, Mpho Chaka · 2025 · International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy

Summary. South Africa expanded electricity access from 34% in 1991 to 85% in 2018, but rural areas lagged behind urban areas. Using a Cobb-Douglas production function, this study examined how rural energy access affects agricultural productivity. The findings show that rural energy access surprisingly had a negative influence on agricultural productivity, while urban energy access promoted it. Labor participation, capital investment, and rainfall emerged as stronger drivers of agricultural productivity.

Read the original

Cite this article

Oladunjoye, O. N., & Chaka, M.. (2025). Rural Energy Access and Agricultural Productivity in South Africa. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.20368

Details

DOI
10.32479/ijeep.20368
Countries
South Africa
Regions
Africa
Categories
energy, agtech, general-innovation
Added
2026-05-01