Abstract for: Social dimension of bio energy production policy in Africa: A systems thinking perspective

The paper makes a case that bio energy production is a single techno-economic social system. Using a systems thinking approach, it develops a qualitative and a quantitative systems dynamics model to capture bio energy production as system and to demonstrate complex relationships that policy makers have to contend with in coming up with effective bio energy policies in African. From the models’ analysis, the paper come to the conclusion that social acceptance will be an important determinant of sustenance bio fuel production in Africa. Moreover, any policy intervention geared towards increasing bio energy production that does not take into account social acceptance and does not articulate bio energy production as a single techno-economic social system is likely to be susceptible to policy resistance.