Industrialization and carbon emission nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa. The moderating role of trade openness

Abstract

This study investigated how trade openness influenced the connection between industrialization and emissions of carbon in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). We utilized purposive sampling technique to select 28 SSA countries from 2003 to 2021. The study used Generalised Methods of Moments as the main estimator and Pooled Mean Group as the robustness estimator for the empirical analysis. The findings revealed that industrialization positively impacts carbon emissions in SSA nations. Additionally, the link between industrialization and carbon emissions in SSA nations is positively moderated by trade openness. The findings validate the necessity for governments in Sub-Saharan African nations to restructure their industrialization initiatives in order to lower emissions of carbon. Additionally, strict measures should be implemented to regulate free trade in the SSA region.Global CO2 emissions present a major policy challenge requiring government intervention. With businesses prioritizing expansion, governments in Sub-Saharan Africa need stringent regulations to manage industrial pollution, curb carbon emissions, and control urban development. As environmental issues gain social significance, the demand for stricter pollution controls increases, necessitating comprehensive laws and policies to reduce CO2 emissions in the region.