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Ending youth unemployment in sub‐saharan Africa: Does ICT development have any role?

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  • Amaka G. Metu
  • Emmanuel Ajudua
  • Ifeoma Eboh
  • Chimezie Ukeje
  • Chekwube Madichie

Abstract

This study investigates the role of information and communication technology (ICT) development towards ending youth unemployment in the 48 sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) countries from 1991 to 2018. Using a dynamic panel modelling technique, the study employed the instrumental variable (IV) regression, within the framework of the system generalized method of moment (GMM‐SYS) estimator. The results show that the low level of mobile phone subscriptions, broadband internet subscriptions, Wi‐Fi internet subscriptions and internet bandwidth exert a significant negative effect on youth unemployment. This means that ICT development reduces youth unemployment in SSA. Also, it was found that the number of households with access to computers has a negative but insignificant effect on youth unemployment; this shows the ineffective role of household computers in reducing youth unemployment in SSA. Based on these findings, we recommend among other things that, for government to optimize the expanding youth population, there is the need for further telecommunication reforms to reduce the cost of mobile phone technologies and improved ultra‐modern internet facilities in the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Amaka G. Metu & Emmanuel Ajudua & Ifeoma Eboh & Chimezie Ukeje & Chekwube Madichie, 2020. "Ending youth unemployment in sub‐saharan Africa: Does ICT development have any role?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(S1), pages 20-31, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:afrdev:v:32:y:2020:i:s1:p:s20-s31
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8268.12479
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    2. Balgobin, Yann & Dubus, Antoine, 2022. "Mobile phones, mobile Internet, and employment in Uganda," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(5).
    3. Keraga, Mezid N. & Stephan, Andreas, 2023. "Does innovation stimulate employment in Africa? New firm-level evidence from the Worldbank Enterprise Survey," Working Paper Series in Economics and Institutions of Innovation 494, Royal Institute of Technology, CESIS - Centre of Excellence for Science and Innovation Studies.

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