The impact of economic growth, population increase, foreign direct investment and renewable energy consumption on the ecological footprint: the case of Sub-Saharan African countries

This study analyzes the effects of economic growth, foreign direct investment (FDI), renewable energy consumption, and population growth on the renewable ecological footprint in Sub-Saharan African countries using a panel data approach. Covering the period from 1990 to 2020, the analysis employs a panel dataset comprising 26 countries. The dependent variable of the study is the renewable ecological footprint, while the independent variables include economic growth, FDI inflows, renewable energy consumption, and population growth. The findings indicate that renewable energy consumption has a statistically significant negative effect on the ecological footprint, suggesting its potential in reducing environmental pressure. In contrast, foreign direct investment shows a positive and significant correlation with the ecological footprint, implying environmentally adverse effects. Economic growth is negatively associated with the ecological footprint and statistically significant, while population growth has a positive but only moderately significant impact. These results underscore the necessity of promoting renewable energy sources and implementing environmentally responsible investment policies to achieve sustainable development goals in the region.