The effect of ICT on inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa

Lennon Jambo Habeenzu () and Boniface Ngah Epo ()
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Lennon Jambo Habeenzu: Pan African University
Boniface Ngah Epo: University of Yaoundé II

SN Business & Economics, 2025, vol. 5, issue 11, 1-23

Abstract: Abstract Inclusive growth is a hot topic in many policy and development efforts given the inadequateness of economic growth to spur living conditions, especially in SSA where poverty, inequality and unemployment persist. Scholars and practitioners therefore have undeniable interest in determining factors that foster inclusive growth. This study analyzes the effect of ICT on inclusive growth in 30 SSA countries from 2005 to 2019 using the fully modified ordinary least squares. The study findings show that ICT access and usage foster inclusive growth in SSA. That is, mobile cellular phone subscriptions, fixed internet subscriptions and internet usage boosts inclusive growth in SSA. These findings are robust when the ICT Infrastructure Development Index compiled by the African Development Bank, and the canonical correlation regression are employed. Following these findings, policy efforts aimed at achieving a knowledge-economy through increased investment in ICT infrastructure to increase ICT access and usage are strongly recommended.

Keywords: Inclusive growth; ICT; Fully modified ordinary least squares; Sub-Saharan africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C10 D60 L96 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00925-5

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