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Corruption in Africa: What role does ICT diffusion play

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  • Sassi, Seifallah
  • Ben Ali, Mohamed Sami

Abstract

This paper assesses the determinants of corruption in Africa and focuses on the effect of ICT diffusion on corruption. Using a sample of 47 African countries over the period from 1996 to 2014, empirical findings provide evidence of high corruption inertia in Africa and show that the rule of law is the strongest factor determining the level of corruption. Results reveal that African economies can benefit from the anti-corruption effects of ICT adoption only once a threshold of rule of law is reached. Thus, policies based on the use of the internet and mobile phones are effective in combating corruption in Africa but need to be strengthened by greater law enforcement.

Suggested Citation

  • Sassi, Seifallah & Ben Ali, Mohamed Sami, 2017. "Corruption in Africa: What role does ICT diffusion play," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 41(7), pages 662-669.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:telpol:v:41:y:2017:i:7:p:662-669
    DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2017.05.002
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    Cited by:

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    2. Freyburg, Tina & Garbe, Lisa & Wavre, Véronique, 2022. "The political power of internet business: A comprehensive dataset of Telecommunications Ownership and Control (TOSCO)," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, issue Online fi, pages 1-1.
    3. Talla Fokam, Dieu Ne Dort & Kamga, Benjamin Fomba & Nchofoung, Tii N., 2023. "Information and communication technologies and employment in developing countries: Effects and transmission channels," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(8).
    4. Dzator, Janet & Acheampong, Alex O. & Appiah-Otoo, Isaac & Dzator, Michael, 2023. "Leveraging digital technology for development: Does ICT contribute to poverty reduction?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(4).
    5. Tina Freyburg & Lisa Garbe & Véronique Wavre, 2023. "The political power of internet business: A comprehensive dataset of Telecommunications Ownership and Control (TOSCO)," The Review of International Organizations, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 573-600, July.
    6. Andreas Freytag & Muhammad Faraz Riaz, 2021. "Corruption and Access to Socio-Economic Services in Africa," CESifo Working Paper Series 8882, CESifo.
    7. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers 21/057, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    8. Adam, Isabelle & Fazekas, Mihály, 2021. "Are emerging technologies helping win the fight against corruption? A review of the state of evidence," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    9. Jiaping Zhang & Mingwang Cheng & Xinyu Wei & Xiaomei Gong, 2018. "Does Mobile Phone Penetration Affect Divorce Rate? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, October.
    10. Jahanbakht, Mohammad & Mostafa, Romel, 2020. "Coevolution of policy and strategy in the development of the mobile telecommunications industry in Africa," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(4).
    11. Migbaru A. Workneh, 2020. "Gender Inequality, Governance, and Poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa," Poverty & Public Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 12(2), pages 150-174, June.
    12. Njangang, Henri & Beleck, Alim & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2).
    13. Sohag, Kazi & Riad Shams, S.M. & Darusalam, Darusalam & Devalle, Alain, 2021. "Information digitalisation and local institutional agility: evidence from ASEAN countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    14. Henri Njangang & Alim Beleck & Sosson Tadadjeu & Brice Kamguia, 2021. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 21/057, African Governance and Development Institute..
    15. Honoré Tekam Oumbé & Ronald Djeunankan & Alain Mekia Ndzana, 2023. "Does information and communication technologies affect economic complexity?," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(4), pages 1-25, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corruption; Bribery; ICT diffusion; Rule of law; African countries;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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