Nigeria possesses significant potential to develop a green hydrogen (GH₂) sector, which could contribute to industrial development, economic diversification, employment generation, and enhanced energy security. Despite these opportunities, progress remains limited due to persistent and interconnected socio-technical barriers. This study examines how Nigeria can enable the development of a viable GH₂ sector as part of its broader energy transition.

The research is guided by three questions: (1) what roles actors and institutional structures play in GH₂ development; (2) which barriers and drivers shape this development; and (3) which development pathway is most plausible given these dynamics. To address these questions, the study applies the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), complemented by actor analysis and a comparative scenario analysis of four hydrogen economy models. This integrated framework enables a systemic assessment of interactions between landscape pressures, regime structures, and niche developments.

The analysis identifies key barriers and drivers across system levels using data from academic literature, policy documents, sector reports, and expert interviews. At the landscape level, global decarbonisation commitments, rising international hydrogen demand, and oil price volatility create incentives for diversification. However, at the regime level, fossil fuel dependence, institutional fragmentation, regulatory gaps, and weak investment incentives reinforce the existing energy system and constrain transformation. At the niche level, high production costs, limited access to finance, infrastructure deficits, and the absence of long-term offtake agreements hinder scaling beyond pilot projects. Although drivers such as abundant renewable resources and energy security concerns exist, their impact is limited by weak alignment across system levels.

The scenario analysis evaluates four hydrogen economy models and identifies a coordinated industrial pathway as the most viable trajectory. In this pathway, exports serve as an entry point but are embedded within a broader industrial development strategy. GH₂ production is linked to downstream sectors such as fertiliser, steel, and chemicals, enabling domestic value creation while leveraging export revenues. Without such coordination, GH₂ risks remaining an enclave export activity with limited structural impact.

The study concludes that GH₂ can play a meaningful role in Nigeria’s energy transition if supported by targeted and coherent policy measures. Key recommendations include the development of a comprehensive national hydrogen strategy to provide regulatory clarity and institutional alignment; the integration of GH₂ into existing industrial value chains, particularly fertiliser production; and the implementation of industrial upgrading mechanisms, such as local content requirements and technology transfer provisions in export agreements. Furthermore, workforce development through education, training, and regional collaboration is essential to build local capacity. Finally, targeted financial instruments, including blended finance and risk-sharing mechanisms, are necessary to improve project bankability and enable the transition from pilot projects to a commercially viable GH₂ sector.

This thesis investigated the socio-technical and institutional factors that affecting the development of solar PV value chain in two case studies, China and SADC. The study for China is aimed for providing a lesson learned from the best practice in building and dominating solar PV value chain in the world. Moreover, the study in SADC is to understanding the region’s current progress, to propose strategic recommendations in building the regional PV value chain.

Findings show that China’s rise in the global PV industry was shaped by three interlinked strategies: (1) strong government orchestration and long-term planning, (2) capturing the entire value chain step by step, and (3) infrastructure-driven industrialization supported by diversified financing and technology transfer. In contrast, SADC’s PV development remains fragmented. The TIS assessment revealed uneven performance across upstream, midstream, and downstream segments, with most activity concentrated in downstream deployment through auctions and rural electrification. These programs, while reliant on imported components, demonstrate that demand creation can stimulate market growth and
eventually feed back into manufacturing opportunities.

Comparing both cases, the research identifies several lessons for SADC:
• Proactive but flexible orchestration at the regional level is needed to balance diverse national interests.
• Building local capabilities should start with segments that have lower entry barriers (e.g., module assembly, balance-of-system components).
• A stronger and more diversified domestic financial ecosystem is required to reduce dependence on donor funding.
• Integrated infrastructure and logistics are essential to reduce costs and improve competitiveness.
• Rural electrification can serve as an anchor market, driving consistent demand in the downstream segment and supporting upstream and midstream growth.

From these insights, the thesis proposes that SADC’s strategic interventions should involve aligning regional institutions as active orchestrators, encouraging country-level institutions (especially South Africa, DRC, and Zambia) to push higher-tech manufacturing, and leveraging international institutions and FDI not only for capital but also for knowledge transfer and long-term capacity building .

Theoretical contribution lies in the introduction of a multilayer analytical framework that integrates TIS functions, PV design factors, and regional integration theory. This approach highlights how institutional dynamics and socio-technical drivers interact in shaping regional value chains. It adds nuance to the literature on regional industrialization in the Global South by linking demand creation, institutional orchestration, and capability building.

This thesis highly reliance on desk research with limited interviews, constrained access to region-wide data, and exclusion of sustainability aspects such as recycling and labor rights. Those served as a limitation for this thesis. The recommendations are preliminary and require feasibility studies at the country level to assess economic, social, and environmental viability .

In short, the study argues that SADC can transition from a fragmented, import-reliant solar PV market toward a competitive regional value chain by strategically leveraging its mineral resources, fostering coordinated regional action, and adapting lessons from China’s developmental model.

Semiconductors are a cornerstone of modern technological development and a strategically vital global industry. Their production is characterized by a fragmented yet geographically concentrated global value chain (GVC), where latecomer economies often remain confined to lower-value segments. This thesis examines how the functional performance of Malaysia’s semiconductor innovation system interacted with GVC governance structures to shape its upgrading trajectory, offering lessons for latecomer economies seeking to advance in knowledge- and capital-intensive industries.

Adopting a longitudinal single-case study design, the research uses Malaysia’s semiconductor sector as the unit of analysis, covering the period from 1970 to the present. The analysis combines the functional Technological Innovation Systems (TIS) framework—assessing seven systemic functions—with an embedded GVC perspective to account for global governance regimes, upgrading pathways, and structural entry barriers. The study draws on secondary literature, policy archives, industry reports, and expert interviews to map the evolution of actors, networks, institutions, and systemic functions, alongside Malaysia’s positioning within the semiconductor GVC.

Findings reveal a dual character in Malaysia’s trajectory. Strong resource mobilization, positive cluster externalities, and foreign-led market formation enabled the country to secure a competitive position in assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP). However, systemic weaknesses in knowledge development, entrepreneurial experimentation, and legitimation, combined with the captive and hierarchical governance structures of upstream segments, limited upgrading into wafer fabrication and integrated circuit (IC) design. These structural dependencies, reinforced by high capital intensity, concentrated intellectual property, and tacit knowledge barriers, have locked Malaysia into a downstream specialisation.

The study concludes that latecomer economies in high-tech sectors must achieve both a balanced performance across systemic functions and strategic engagement with GVC governance dynamics. For policymakers, this implies integrating domestic innovation system strengthening with deliberate positioning in global production networks. The thesis contributes to the literature by integrating functional TIS analysis with GVC and latecomer industrialisation theory, offering a nuanced understanding of innovation system evolution in globally embedded, high-technology contexts.

As East African countries seek to address persistent energy poverty while positioning themselves within the global green economy, solar photovoltaics (PV) has emerged as a promising technological and industrial pathway. However, current patterns of adoption in the region remain heavily dependent on imported components, particularly from China, and are largely limited to deployment and distribution stages. This dependency not only undermines long-term energy security but also constrains the region’s ability to capture industrial and employment benefits associated with the clean energy transition.

This thesis investigates the potential for East African countries to collectively establish a regional solar PV manufacturing value chain (RVC), drawing strategic insights from China’s rise as the world’s leading solar PV producer. It addresses the core research question: To what extent can regional cooperation help East African countries build a sustainable solar PV value chain, and how can China’s experience inform this process?

The study adopts a multi-framework analytical approach, integrating the Technological Innovation System (TIS) framework, a regional integration into global value chains (GVCs) perspective informed by Bamber et al.’s competitiveness framework, and the developmental regionalism approach. These frameworks are applied sequentially across three empirical chapters.

First, through a TIS analysis of twelve East African countries, the study identifies systemic bottlenecks in the region’s solar PV innovation systems. While downstream deployment is gaining momentum—especially through off-grid solutions—upstream and midstream industrial development remains limited. Functions such as knowledge development, entrepreneurial experimentation, and resource mobilization are weakly fulfilled. Kenya and Ethiopia are the only countries showing nascent manufacturing activities: Kenya through local module assembly (Solinc), and Ethiopia through foreign direct investment in cell production. Most other countries lack the institutional coordination, industrial capabilities, and policy direction needed to support solar PV manufacturing.

Second, the study applies a regional value chain lens grounded in regional integration theory and developmental regionalism to explore the feasibility of task-sharing across countries. No single East African country possesses the full set of capabilities required for a vertically integrated solar PV industry. However, several countries demonstrate complementary strengths: Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda possess critical mineral reserves such as tin and copper; Ethiopia offers abundant low-cost hydropower for energy-intensive processing; Kenya has the most advanced industrial infrastructure and logistics connectivity. This uneven distribution of capabilities provides a strong rationale for a coordinated regional manufacturing strategy based on functional specialization.

To operationalize this vision, the thesis proposes a regional specialization model in which upstream resource processing is concentrated in mineral-rich countries, midstream activities are sited in energy-abundant zones, and downstream module assembly and system integration is anchored in Kenya. Countries like Rwanda may also serve in support roles for certification and trade facilitation. This model not only addresses structural asymmetries but also aligns with the principles of developmental regionalism that emphasize state-led industrial cooperation and regional complementarity.

Third, the study turns to China’s experience in developing a world-leading solar PV industry as a latecomer. Through catch-up theory and policy transfer analysis, the research identifies both the mechanisms behind China’s success—such as sequenced industrial policy, vertical coordination, and innovation investment—and the structural differences that constrain direct replication in East Africa. Instead of wholesale policy borrowing, the thesis identifies a selective set of transferable lessons: gradual policy layering, clustering and SEZ development, quality certification systems, public-private-academic collaboration, and performance-linked incentives.

The study concludes that while East Africa faces formidable constraints—ranging from fragmented markets to underdeveloped industrial ecosystems—strategic regional cooperation presents a viable path forward. By aligning national comparative advantages and adapting selected lessons from China’s experience, East African countries can collectively enter higher-value segments of the global solar PV supply chain. This will require not only targeted investment and institutional innovation, but also robust regional mechanisms to coordinate infrastructure, standards, and industrial policy.

This thesis investigates the feasibility of battery industry development in the DRC-Zambia region by identifying enabling conditions across global cases. Using a PESTLE framework, it synthesises political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors that shape battery manufacturing success. A comparative analysis shows Zambia holds significantly stronger enabling conditions than the DRC, though both face key challenges. To address this, the study proposes a regional strategy of functional specialisation across the DRC, Zambia, and South Africa, supported by targeted interventions based on the Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) framework. The findings contribute both a replicable benchmark for assessing battery industry feasibility and a policy-oriented design strategy tailored to the Central-Southern African context.

Decarbonizing the European steel industry has become an urgent priority within the framework of EU climate targets and the broader global energy transition. While green hydrogen offers a promising route to abate emissions in this hard-to-abate sector, its integration faces complex socio-technical challenges. This work aims to analyze these dynamics by applying the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP) to identify the drivers and barriers shaping the adoption of hydrogen in steelmaking. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a semi-systematic literature review and expert interviews with the development of a novel Comparative Pathway Alignment Matrix (CPAM). This assessment reveals that while radical hydrogen-based Direct Reduced Iron (H2-DRI) with Electric Arc Furnaces offers the highest potential for CO2 reduction (90–95%), it is currently constrained by significant infrastructure and economic hurdles. Consequently, this study identifies flexible H2-DRI systems as the most likely near-term pathway, as they allow for modular implementation that aligns with existing reinvestment cycles. The results highlight that a phased transition, supported by targeted risk-sharing policies and infrastructure development, is essential to reconcile deep decarbonization goals with the structural realities of the steel regime.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is endowed with vast reserves of cobalt, a metal playing a very substantial role in the global energy transition. As the world shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, particularly through the electrification of transport, the demand for key minerals like cobalt and lithium is rising. This presents a unique opportunity for the DRC to elevate its position within the global battery value chain (GBVC). However, despite its rich mineral resources, the DRC’s current role remains limited primarily to raw material exports, leaving significant space for growth in high value-added activities.

This thesis explores the research question: “Can the DRC leverage its abundant cobalt resources to upgrade in the battery value chain?”. The study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by assessing the potential of the country to upgrade within the chain. This is done by identifying challenges that the DRC faces and exploring opportunities for upgrading within the value chain.

The research is structured around several sub-research questions that examine the global landscape and governance of the battery value chain, the DRC's current integration, and both the challenges and opportunities for future upgrading. The primary analytical tool employed is the Global Value Chain (GVC) framework, which provides a structured methodology to assess the complex network between the companies and the economic activities that are executed throughout the world. By applying this framework, the study identifies where value is created within the battery value chain and how the DRC can move towards higher-value activities.

In summary, the opportunity identified for the DRC is in the upstream sector of the battery value chain and more particularly in the refining stage. Nevertheless, the outcome is not encouraging for the DRC due to substantial barriers that the country must overcome. The country faces deficits in infrastructure, especially in energy and transportation systems, which rise operational expenditures. This in conjunction with the political instability has a negative implication on the attractiveness of the DRC as an investment environment, so country ‘s progress is hindered. Furthermore, the limited control that local institutions have over cobalt mines does not give the chance to the DRC to take strategic decisions that are beneficial for the development of country ‘s capabilities. In addition, transparency and human rights problems within the mining sector make investors more reluctant due to the need in the market for compliance with international ESG standards.

Substantial improvements in the DRC ‘s investment environment are necessary to strengthen country ‘s position in the global battery industry, so some recommendations for both government policies and corporate strategies are made. Local institutions should build more strategic collaborations with companies in other countries of African Union that have the capacity to support refining activities. At the same time, they must increase their awareness for international standards and start applying them in order to become more trusted partners globally. Policy recommendations from the government are also essential , including financial incentives for foreign investors and improvements in the judicial system. In this way, the DRC can create a more competitive environment in the refining segment of battery value chain and may have more chances for upgrading.

The urgent need to address global warming and achieve the 1.5°C target set by the Paris Agreement necessitates an energy transition in Europe, with offshore wind energy in the North Sea playing a vital role. Despite the complexity of the North Sea's offshore energy system, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive study of the entire system, especially the crucial transmission aspects connecting onshore and offshore systems. This master thesis addresses this research gap by applying an Extended Multi-Level Perspective (E-MLP) framework to the North Sea offshore energy system.

The study begins with an analysis of actors involved in the energy transition, utilizing methods like social network analysis (SNA), PESTLE analysis, and scenario analysis. The focus is on the Dutch and German electricity transmission system operator, specifically its department Grid Field Operations - Offshore (GFO-O), to understand how E-MLP can enhance comprehension of the complex and dynamic nature of the North Sea offshore energy system.

Through a mixed method approach, combining MLP, actor analysis, SNA, PESTLE analysis, and Socio-Technical Scenarios, both qualitative and quantitative data were collected and applied to gain a holistic understanding of the system. The research reveals that the North Sea offshore energy system is heavily influenced by onshore developments, supply chain considerations, grid congestion, and demand flexibility. The use of artificial intelligence enables niche innovations, while the role of small nuclear reactors is limited. Offshore focuses on energy hubs, standardization, and wind park expansion, but moving further offshore increases vulnerability. The future role of hydrogen remains uncertain, and cybersecurity and multi-use of space are crucial factors.

The study offers recommendations for GFO-O to strengthen its position, attract digital talent, invest in AI capabilities, explore demand flexibility, and investigate green hydrogen production. Policymakers should prioritize multi-use of space and engage with the military to address security threats. Incentivizing demand flexibility at the consumer level can support renewable energy production and ease the offshore system's burden.

This research contributes to the field by applying the E-MLP framework to the North Sea offshore energy system, examining actor interactions, informal institutions, and providing valuable insights for scenario analysis. However, the study acknowledges potential limitations in data availability, interview perspectives, and social network analysis. Future research can delve into specific factors such as the offshore supply chain, explore heterogeneous analysis of the oil and gas sector, and apply E-MLP to other energy transition regimes, extending the study's impact and refining the framework's application.

In conclusion, this master thesis enhances the understanding of the North Sea offshore energy system and provides policy-relevant insights for inclusive policymaking, supporting Europe's energy transition efforts to combat global warming.

This research is designed to provide a structured and comprehensive examination of the complex relationship between climate readiness, climate aid, and carbon efficiency in African countries. At its heart, the primary goal is to construct a climate readiness framework initially designed to assess developing nations and subsequently refine it to align with the distinct contexts of African nations. This framework undergoes a two-fold process, starting with its conceptualization and followed by its adaptation through a combination of theoretical examination and real-world application. It forms the foundation of this research, supplying essential insights relevant to policymakers and institutions engaged in tackling climate-related issues specific to Africa.

In the second phase of the study, a linear regression model is employed to analyze the connections between carbon efficiency, climate readiness, and climate aid. Carbon efficiency is determined using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), while the climate readiness variable is derived from the developed framework. The empirical findings underscore the critical role of targeted climate aid, particularly in countries with higher climate preparedness. This synergy contributes significantly to decoupling carbon emissions from economic growth, emphasizing the importance of strategic climate aid in fostering sustainable and environmentally responsible economic development.

Overall, this research aims to shed light on the complex interplay of factors shaping climate outcomes in African countries, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and policy development in the realm of climate change mitigation and adaptation.