Offshore wind development in Africa: An analysis of regional and national legal regimes

This chapter interrogates offshore wind development in Africa through an analysis of the extant regional and national legal regimes that impact on the development of Africa’s maritime resources including wind energy. It discusses Africa’s energy poverty, a lack in the midst of plenty, to emphasise that the development of offshore wind energy, remains imperative. Africa’s Integrated Marine Strategy Framework (2050 Aim Strategy) as well as other regional instruments are critically analysed. While the instruments provide a broad framework for the development of offshore renewables, the chapter reveals a variety of regulatory gaps that fails to balance the various risks. The chapter also narrows down to the licensing regime in Nigeria for wind energy development. The exhaustive analysis that follows reveals that, whilst the extant regime is a commendable first step, it is, like the regional instruments, lacking in adequate commercial incentives and a robust regulatory climate.