Access to electricity is a scarcity throughout sub-Saharan African countries. The region currently has the lowestrate of energy access in the world and a total of 13 countries have an electrification rate of 25%. Comprehensiveenergy security is regarded as essential to obtaining sustainable and economic development in which access toaffordable and clean energy is part of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030.A country in the region that has had some sporadic success with electrification and unique developments withrenewable energy, is Ethiopia. Despite the significant overall increase of access to electricity over the past twodecades, the country still has an electrification rate that barely covers half of the population. An aspect that isviewed to have an impact on increased electrification and successful transitioning of deploying renewableenergy, is the use and presence of strong policies. Several researchers and scholars have explored the effect thatpolicy has on increased electrification and how they are useful for promoting renewable energy. This researchaims to investigate the role of policy for electrification via renewables in Ethiopia. The objective of the thesisis to explore sustainable development in terms of energy development, how climate change and economicdevelopment is tackled, and what specific influences shape the energy outlook of Ethiopia. A case study wasconducted which combined two different methods; content analysis of policy documents and semi-structuredinterviews with experts from various fields in which the data was triangulated in order to gain valuableperspectives and insights. The findings showcase that policy developments do seem to have an influence onincreased electrification and sustainable energy transitioning to some extent, with other factors also playing arole. Thus, this research will contribute to how sustainable development can be understood from the context ofenergy policy of a global south nation and provide insights which can further be elaborated on how policies canbe utilized for successful energy developments in other countries in the region.

As developed markets have become saturated to a greater extent, companies have instead targeted emerging economies. In recent years, a substantial number of companies have recognized the opportunities in the Sub-Saharan market, which has led to an increasing number of foreign firms entering this market. Nevertheless, companies are still experiencing numerous challenges in relatively unexplored markets like the Sub-Saharan region. The purpose of this thesis is to investigate challenges for Swedish manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) when entering the Sub-Saharan African market. Additionally, the thesis will examine how these challenges affect the entry modes as well as further market commitments. The aim is to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that influence the choice of entry mode of SMEs in volatile environments. This study has adopted a qualitative research method with an abductive approach to allow for an elaborate and flexible research process. The empirical data have been collected from multiple cases, by conducting five semi-structured interviews. The outcome of this thesis demonstrates that the major challenges in the Sub-Saharan market are related to underdeveloped institutional frameworks. Although, by cooperating with institutional actors and providing valuable resources to the local environment, firms are able to relieve institutional pressures. Finally, innovation, adaptability, and flexibility are vital factors that influence the extent to which companies are able to commit to the Sub-Saharan market.

The thesis analyzes the issue of the influence of presence of natural resources on civil wars in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its purpose is to analyze in detail the possible consequences of natural resources on these conflicts in the area in question. The thesis comprises three main parts. The first theoretical part starts with the introduction of the main theoretical concepts (the "theory" of the curse of natural resources and the concept of a rentier state), which presume the existence of a causal relation between the occurrence of natural resources and negative, mainly development-related, consequences in countries that are dependent on them. Subsequently it described selected economic, social, and institutional undesirable phenomena associated with the presence of natural resources. Professional literature, for instance, often mentions the possible connection between primary commodities and civil wars. In this respect the initial part of the thesis is concluded with a presentation of theoretical explanations of the relation between these two variables. It presents expert views of natural resources as a possible cause of civil wars, potential source of finances, and a factor influencing the duration, the way of waging, and other features of civil wars. It also includes an analysis of the influence of...

Given the current trend of rapid population growth, especially in the global South, the question what the implications of rapid demographic change are for security should receive increased attention. The recently established field of political demography has endeavoured to explore the causal relationship between these two factors, but still relatively few studies exist which would apply political demography theory on specific empirical cases. In this thesis, I have therefore examined the case of the First Congo War, as well as selected conflict events in eastern Congo predating it. Firstly, I have looked at the security implications of population change in the colonial and later in the post-independence era, especially in the Kivu provinces located in eastern Congo. Secondly, I examined the Rwandan genocide from a political demography perspective. Finally, I enquired how the massive Rwandan refugee wave to eastern Congo in the aftermath of the genocide played a role in the eruption of the First Congo War. The selected case study approach proved to be useful in both expanding our understanding of the causes of conflict outbreak in the observed region, and further developing political demography theory by drawing attention to a number of so far largely overlooked aspects. It has highlighted the need...

Thesis advisor: Lisa S. Cahill / The dissertation draws upon African and Christian ethics as well as on African women's experiences of resistance to violations of their human dignity and womanhood. It takes a theological approach drawing on resources including African women’s theology, Jon Sobrino, Emmanuel Katongole, and Catholic social teaching. An important lens for diagnosing the problems faced by women in Sub-Saharan Africa is Engelbert Mveng’s concept of “anthropological poverty.” This concept refers to the multiple aspects of the loss of dignity resulting from slavery and colonialism; a basic argument of this dissertation is that anthropological poverty affects women in unique ways, that are exacerbated by religious and cultural histories of oppression of women. To address this situation, I will advocate for an interplay between the sacredness of life of every individual that is a salient principle of Christian ethics and the collective consciousness of solidarity that is distinctive of African cultures. The dissertation uses the narratives of abuse of women from the Democratic Republic of Congo that mirror those of Sub-Saharan African women more generally. It argues that these abuses impoverish women not only economically but also and especially anthropologically. While anthropological poverty is rooted in the history of slavery and colonization of African nations, it continues to be worsened by an intermingling of androcentric Christian views with the cultural patriarchal gender biases which significantly shape women's identity and women’s roles in society. Another factor that worsens women's anthropological poverty is sexual violence, especially rape used as a weapon of war. The dissertation argues that the Catholic social teaching's discourse of the preferential option for the poor overlooks the ways these factors doubly impoverish women and obstruct their political participation in society. The Church's teaching tends to focus on economic over anthropological poverty. The dissertation undertakes the task of moral imagination using narrative criticism as a method of biblical exegesis. It assesses the foundations of the political participation of women in African traditions and Scriptures, using the feminist biblical lens of Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, "discipleship of equals." Through a "sophialogical" hermeneutic, the dissertation identifies the epistemology that arises from women's resistance to anthropological poverty. From the perspectives of Latin American liberation theology and a political theology of hope for Africa, it theorizes that the passion of anger offers a particular epistemology of liberation, and can become a praiseworthy and effective means of women’s social participation when it is solidaristic and resistant. The dissertation concludes by assessing the extent to which Catholic social teaching on the preferential option for the poor lacks an adequate analysis of women's specific poverty. The option for the poor needs to regard women's suffering and responses to suffering as loci theologici. This option needs to consider the "conative interruption" dimension of anger that women's narratives disclose as a sign of the times. The dissertation resolves that the Christian virtues of fortitude and prudence need to be rearticulated in the contexts of grave abuses of womanhood, connecting them to solidaristic and resistant anger through which women's sacredness of life can be significantly ennobled. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2020. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Theology.

Background: The tobacco industry has globalized and tobacco use continues to increase in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, the data and research to inform policy initiatives for addressing this phenomenon is sparse. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of adult tobacco use in 17 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, and to identify key factors associated with adult tobacco consumption choices (smoked, smokeless tobacco and dual use) in Madagascar. Methods. We used Demographic Health Survey for estimating tobacco use prevalence among adults in SSA. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify key determinants of adult tobacco consumption choices in Madagascar. Results: While differences in tobacco use exist in SSA, Madagascar has exceptionally higher prevalence rates (48.9% of males; 10.3% of females). The regression analyses showed complexity of tobacco use in Madagascar and identified age, education, wealth, employment, marriage, religion and place of residence as factors significantly associated with the choice of tobacco use among males, while age, wealth, and employment were significantly associated with that of females. The effects, however, differ across the three choices of tobacco use compared to non-use. Conclusions: Tobacco use in Madagascar was higher than the other 16 SSA countries. Although the government continues to enact policies to address the problem, there is a need for effective implementation and enforcement. There is also the need for health education to modify social norms and denormalize tobacco use.

Background: The tobacco industry has globalized and tobacco use continues to increase in low- and middle-income countries. Yet, the data and research to inform policy initiatives for addressing this phenomenon is sparse. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of adult tobacco use in 17 Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, and to identify key factors associated with adult tobacco consumption choices (smoked, smokeless tobacco and dual use) in Madagascar. Methods. We used Demographic Health Survey for estimating tobacco use prevalence among adults in SSA. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify key determinants of adult tobacco consumption choices in Madagascar. Results: While differences in tobacco use exist in SSA, Madagascar has exceptionally higher prevalence rates (48.9% of males; 10.3% of females). The regression analyses showed complexity of tobacco use in Madagascar and identified age, education, wealth, employment, marriage, religion and place of residence as factors significantly associated with the choice of tobacco use among males, while age, wealth, and employment were significantly associated with that of females. The effects, however, differ across the three choices of tobacco use compared to non-use. Conclusions: Tobacco use in Madagascar was higher than the other 16 SSA countries. Although the government continues to enact policies to address the problem, there is a need for effective implementation and enforcement. There is also the need for health education to modify social norms and denormalize tobacco use.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / As a signatory to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) agreement, a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with the United States, South Africa derives several benefits. PTAs grant access to certain products from developing countries and, while the tariffs are sometimes not completely removed, the tariffs charged are far less than those imposed on countries that are not included in the trade agreement. There is strong evidence that PTAs increase trade and investment between member countries. South African exports of goods and services to the US under AGOA have increased by 104% since 2000. While PTAs seem to benefit developing countries at the aggregate level, not much is known about the winners and losers from preferential trade liberalisation at the level of the firm. This study assessed the PTA benefits of AGOA at the firm level within the South African poultry sector. / 2023

This exploratory and interpretive research analytically examines perceived influence of the Water Supply Database (WSDB) initiative on Uganda's water sector development, particularly the rural sector. The WSDB was deployed by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) to manage country wide water source information submitted by District Water Officers (DWO) and regional Technical Support Units (TCUs). The MWE has integrated the WSDB to support sector governance, planning, budgeting, information sharing, setting measures for performance indicators and data based decision making processes for developing new water supply projects. This research is the first in-depth study exploring the WSDB; hence justifying relevance and my enthusiasm. Instead of focusing on numerical concepts, this research qualitatively investigates and theorises from participant perceptions about the WSDB benefits and positioning as the MWE's primary information and communication technology (ICT) initiative. The perceptions are categorised from WSDB design, implementation, benefits and implicit contribution to recognise development influence. Grounded Theory (GT), specifically Glaserian Classic Grounded Theory (CGT) approach was adopted to inform methodology choice, data collection, data analysis and theory development. Data was collected across two field studies from multiple stakeholder participants working in Uganda's water sector over a total period of six months. Participant perceptions expound the developmental significance of WSDB using benefits, optimism and subtle discontents. As a result of CGT methodology, inductive thinking and interpretive philosophical assumption; I discerned that the main participant perspectives entailed MWE effectively leveraging the WSDB to increase citizen's access to water by managing functionality of water sources, tracking sector performance, governance and data based decisions to develop new water sources. This concept emerged from data analysis, coding and categorization processes which cultivated the conceptual core category Optimizing Perspectives from codes, primary sub-core categories and secondary sub-core categories. Four primary sub-core categories and thirteen secondary sub-core categories cultivated discovery of Optimizing Perspectives. Optimizing Perspectives emerged as a substantive theory whose constructs, processes and categories summarily infer that the MWE is continually engaged in optimisation of WSDB to develop the water sector. Other than the theory contribution, two main implications of adopting CGT methodology emerged from this research. First, findings are useful for understanding consequences of adopting CGT for artefact theorisation studies in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) for which the WSDB is an exemplar. Secondly, findings contribute to IS research which advance using CGT to theorise about the contemporary notion of ICT for Development (ICT4D) or Information Systems in Developing Countries (ISDC) studies that examine developmental significance of ICTs such as e-government systems in SSA. A comparative analysis of Optimizing Perspectives with related theories was undertaken to bring new conceptual meaning, understanding and potential theory generalisation. Optimizing Perspectives makes a case for the construction of guidelines to inform social-technical analysis of development oriented ICT artefacts. Finally, possibilities exist for CGT researchers to enhance studies about ICT artefacts and ICT4D or ISDC by adapting the theory Optimizing Perspectives.

Globalisation has simplified the internationalisation process for companies, and are today not only constrained to multinational companies, as SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) are entering global markets in order to attain a sustainable competitive advantage. As a result, more Swedish SMEs are now operating abroad, and SSA (sub-Saharan Africa) is a region that has shown great potential. SSA has a rapid economic growth and greater political stability, and SMEs that enter SSA has many opportunities to gain as it is a fairly unexplored region with a boosting economy. However, working in SSA would entail that Swedish SMEs and its leaders would encounter different cultures and trying to find a way of coping with the differences successfully. The purposes of this study, is, therefore, to explore what cultural challenges Swedish SME leaders face in SSA, and how they adapt to the cultural challenges. The researchers chose a qualitative research strategy with an abductive approach and conducted semi-structured interviews with eight Swedish SMEs leaders that are currently active in SSA. The respondents hold various leading positions within these companies. Our empirical findings suggest that there are several cultural challenges that Swedish SME leaders face in SSA, such as time perception, gender inequality, collectivistic behaviour and trust issues. However, the existing hierarchical system in SSA was seen as the main challenge as the leaders were used to a flat organisations structure in Sweden, whereas the culture in SSA advocate authoritarianism. The leaders that choose to adapt their leadership style become more controlling, which shown improvement on the employees performance. Our findings also indicate that some of the leaders did want to adapt their leadership style but instead sought to transform the current culture in SSA based on a Swedish Model.