Strategies for Reforming Fossil-Fuel Subsidies: Practical lessons from Ghana, France and Senegal
This paper analyzes the experiences of countries that have undertaken reform of their fossil-fuel subsidies and establishes what lessons can be learned. It focuses in particular on France, Ghana and Senegal, as well as drawing from case studies of other countries and previous work that examines the reform of energy subsidies and price subsidies. The paper finds there is no single formula for success, but six important strategies are identified:
2. Establishment of reform objectives and parameters: clearly articulate objectives to help focus the reform strategy.
3. Construction of a coherent reform policy: ideally designed with support from a broad range of stakeholders.
4. Implementation: reform is not easy and may require several attempts.
5. Monitoring, evaluation and adjustment: policies can be adapted in light of new information, requiring a continual assessment of the underlying policy objectives.
6. Forward movement: successful reform requires the prevention of backsliding.
Papers in this series:
- Untold Billions: Fossil-fuel subsidies, their impacts and the path to reform: A Summary of Key Findings
- Effects of Fossil-Fuel Subsidy Reform: A review of modelling and empirical studies
- The Politics of Fossil-Fuel Subsidies
- Strategies for Reforming Fossil-Fuel Subsidies: Practical lessons from Ghana, France and Senegal
- Gaining Traction: The importance of transparency in accelerating the reform of fossil-fuel subsidies
- Mapping the Characteristics of Producer Subsidies: A review of pilot country studies
For information about the GSI's other reports on fossil-fuel subsidies, click here.
You might also be interested in
Insights on Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification in Carbon Pricing
How governments can design monitoring, reporting, and verification systems that make carbon pricing credible, workable, and inclusive.
Making Electric Vehicles Work for More People
At least seven of the 21 BRICS+ economies are directing subsidies toward electric vehicles (EVs) and transport services widely used by lower- and middle-income people—from two- and three-wheelers to buses and shared transport.
Sustainable and Resilient Value Chains: Gender Equality
How voluntary sustainability standards and private sector actors can advance gender equality and women's economic empowerment in agricultural value chains.
August 2026 | Carbon Minefields Oil and Gas Exploration Monitor
When IISD launched Carbon Minefields, we aimed to make the continued expansion of oil and gas production more visible and measurable.