Bridging the energy divide: The impact of finance, political regimes, and international sanctions on renewable energy access

• We examine the roles of finance, international sanctions, and political regime types in shaping access to renewable energy. • Access to finance significantly improves access to renewable energy. • However, its impact weakens under sanctions or in politically constrained environments. • Democracies have stronger linkages between finance and renewable energy access. • A weak relationship is documented for autocratic regimes. Drawing on data from developing countries, this study examines the roles of finance, international sanctions, and political regime types in shaping access to renewable energy. Findings reveal that access to finance significantly improves renewable energy, but its impact weakens under sanctions or in politically constrained environments. Democracies exhibit stronger linkages between finance and renewable energy access, whereas autocratic regimes show a weaker relationship. The findings have vital implications for shaping global renewable energy policies and investment frameworks.