Effect of renewable energy consumption on youth unemployment in Uganda

Abstract

The report investigates how renewable energy consumption affects youth unemployment in Uganda from 1990–2024. Using an ARDL model, it finds that Uganda’s high reliance on traditional biomass increases youth unemployment in the long run, while economic growth significantly reduces it. FDI has a small positive employment effect, and inflation is insignificant. The study concludes that renewable energy will only reduce youth unemployment if Uganda shifts from traditional biomass to modern renewable technologies. It recommends modernizing the energy sector, improving technical skills, promoting employment focused FDI, and strengthening economic growth policies. Subject keywords; Renewable energy consumption, Uganda, Youth unemployment.