The Role of Green Innovation, Renewable Energy, and Institutional Quality in Promoting Green Growth: Evidence from African Countries

Abstract

Green growth exhibits an immense potential to transform economies and safeguard the planet as it creates a symbiotic relationship between economic progress and environmental protection. This study examines the impact of green innovation, renewable energy consumption, and institutional quality on green growth in African countries, controlling for GDP per capita, trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI), population, and natural resource rent. The short- and long-run relationships are investigated using pooled mean group (PMG), mean group (MG), and dynamic fixed effects (DFE) models with panel data for 49 African countries from 2000 to 2021. The findings reveal that green innovation, renewable energy consumption, institutional quality, GDP per capita, trade openness, and population growth have positive long-run effects on green growth. In contrast, FDI and natural resource depletion have adverse effects. In the short run, only institutional quality and GDP per capita positively affect green growth, while natural resource rent has a negative impact. Considering these findings, this study recommends that policymakers in Africa promote green innovation and adopt energy-efficient technologies, increase the use of renewable energy resources, and improve institutional quality to achieve green growth.