Bringing the state back in again? The emerging developmental state in Africa’s energy sector

Despite the rise and fall of the central role given to states in national development discussions, there is an emerging trend in Africa where several countries are harnessing their natural resources – at least in policy – for broad-based development. Particularly in the energy sector, there is the growing popularity of what is now termed ‘petro-developmental states’ who through the adoption of local content policies and laws seek to increase the participation of their nationals in the energy industry. The objective of our paper is to explore this phenomenon in Ghana, Mozambique, and Uganda by examining the specific laws and policies vis-à-vis the political will and institutional/infrastructural capacity of these countries to advance development. In identifying whether the developmental state model fits with the changing dynamics within Africa’s energy (mainly hydrocarbon) sector, the results were mixed or negative although Uganda is sometimes seen as a promising example. Overall, the paper underscores the intersectionality of energy infrastructure, institutions, political power, and national development.