COMPARATIVE STUDY: LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND CHALLENGES IN COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS

This comparative study examines community participation in renewable energy projects in Tanzania and Nigeria, evaluating their legal frameworks, challenges, and proposing the Canadian model as a solution. Community involvement is essential for sustainable development and fair benefit distribution in the energy sector. However, most literature emphasises community involvement without detailing the complexities of participation. This paper aims to assess strategies, interventions, and policy measures enhancing community participation in renewable energy projects in Tanzania and Nigeria. By analysing legislation, policy documents, and case studies, the study evaluates the effectiveness of legal mechanisms in promoting meaningful community involvement. The findings highlight similarities and common challenges in the legal frameworks of both countries, such as inadequate involvement, limited capacity, and ineffective implementation of legal provisions. Addressing these findings can help policymakers and stakeholders encourage inclusive and sustainable energy sector development. The paper is limited by its reliance on existing literature, which predominantly focuses on community involvement rather than the technical aspects of participation, confining the review to available studies.