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Telecommunications Services in Africa: The Impact of WTO Commitments and Unilateral Reform on Sector Performance and Economic Growth

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  • Djiofack-Zebaze, Calvin
  • Keck, Alexander

Abstract

Summary We examine the impact of telecommunications liberalization in Africa on sectoral performance and economic growth. Besides unilateral measures, we account for WTO commitments fostering the credibility of reforms. Regulatory quality plays a major role in bringing down prices and improving access to telecommunications services in Africa. Competition, notably in the mobile segment, also improves sector performance. Increasing access to mobile networks by 1% translates into a 0.5% increase in real GDP per capita. In Africa, multilateral commitments do not reflect recent reforms. However, globally, adherence to the GATS Reference Paper is associated with lower prices.

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  • Djiofack-Zebaze, Calvin & Keck, Alexander, 2009. "Telecommunications Services in Africa: The Impact of WTO Commitments and Unilateral Reform on Sector Performance and Economic Growth," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(5), pages 919-940, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:wdevel:v:37:y:2009:i:5:p:919-940
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    3. Bernard Hoekman, 2017. "Trade in services: Opening markets to create opportunities," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2017-31, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    4. 'Ofa, Siope Vakataki, 2009. "The WTO's telecommunications commitments and the credibility of telecommunications regulatory reforms in small island developing states," MPRA Paper 66184, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Godfrey Madigu, 2014. "The influence of services on firm productivity in Sub-saharan Africa," NCID Working Papers 02/2014, Navarra Center for International Development, University of Navarra.
    6. 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).
    7. Francesco Bogliacino & Giulio Perani & Mario Pianta & Stefano Supino, 2010. "Innovation and Development. The Evidence from Innovation Surveys," Working Papers of BETA 2010-13, Bureau d'Economie Théorique et Appliquée, UDS, Strasbourg.
    8. Jose Luis Castillo Mezarina, 2021. "The impact of free trade agreements in national markets: Evidence from the telecommunications sector in Latin America," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(4), pages 860-903, September.
    9. Yazid Abdullahi Abubakar & Jay Mitra & Adeyeye Mercy Modupe, 2018. "Mobile Telephony and New Business Formation Rates in BRICS and Beyond: Does Human Capital Matter?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 4(2), pages 137-158, July.
    10. Ben Dkhil, Inès, 2014. "Regulation and Investment in Telecom Network Infrastructure Facilities: The Recent Developments and Debates," MPRA Paper 72910, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 02 Feb 2015.
    11. M. F. Mpwanya, 2022. "An Empirical Examination of the Overall Customer Satisfaction with the Service Delivery of Mobile Network Operators in South Africa," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 23(1), pages 20-36, February.
    12. Brandie L. MARTIN, 2012. "Hitting or Missing African UAS Objectives? An Evaluation of Universal Access and Service (UAS) Policy Guidelines for Developing Countries," Communications & Strategies, IDATE, Com&Strat dept., vol. 1(86), pages 121-141, 2nd quart.
    13. Ben Dkhil, Inès, 2014. "Investment in Fixed Broadband Networks and Access Regulation in Developed and Developing countries: Panel Data Applications," MPRA Paper 59337, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Abdul Aziz & Gobind M. Herani & Asim Nasar, 2012. "Finding out Factors Affecting Tele-density Growth in Pakistan (1997-2011)," KASBIT Business Journals (KBJ), Khadim Ali Shah Bukhari Institute of Technology (KASBIT), vol. 5, pages 10-16, December.

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