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Internet usage, innovation and human development nexus in Africa: the case of ECOWAS

Author

Listed:
  • Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi

    (Covenant University)

  • Evans S. Osabuohien

    (Covenant University)

  • Olawale D. Johnson

    (Covenant University)

  • Ebenezer I. K. Bowale

    (Covenant University)

Abstract

Internet usage and the sporadic rise in the level of innovations have been major drivers of human progress in the last decades. These leaps in human intelligence have affected almost every area of human endeavour including education, health, finance, commerce, political engagement, and so on. With the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has adopted some strategies in order to ensure that ECOWAS member countries are not left behind. Thus, this study examines the influence of internet usage and innovation on human development in 15 ECOWAS countries. Using the fixed and random effects panel data techniques, the study finds that Internet usage, innovation and their interaction have significant and positive relationship with human development. Furthermore, the study unbundles the ECOWAS countries and finds that countries like Cape Verde had positive significant coefficient for the three cases examined, the results for some ECOWAS members were not significant, while few had significant negative results, which did not have influence on the overall result. Recommendations on how to increase innovation for human development in ECOWAS countries are highlighted in the study.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi & Evans S. Osabuohien & Olawale D. Johnson & Ebenezer I. K. Bowale, 2019. "Internet usage, innovation and human development nexus in Africa: the case of ECOWAS," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 8(1), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jecstr:v:8:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1186_s40008-019-0146-2
    DOI: 10.1186/s40008-019-0146-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Martini Martini & Doddy Setiawan & Retno Tanding Suryandari & Rayenda Khresna Brahmana & Andi Asrihapsari, 2023. "Determinants of Digital Innovation in Micro and Small Industries," Economies, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. Nawab Khan & Ram L. Ray & Hazem S. Kassem & Muhammad Ihtisham & Badar Naseem Siddiqui & Shemei Zhang, 2022. "Can Cooperative Supports and Adoption of Improved Technologies Help Increase Agricultural Income? Evidence from a Recent Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. Eseoghene S. Olaifa & Evans S. Osabuohien & Haruna Issahaku & Oluwatoyin Matthew, 2022. "Oil Spillages and Captured Fish Production in the Niger Delta of Nigeria," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(3), pages 175-183, May.
    5. Favour Chidinma Onuoha & Benedict I. Uzoechina & Chukwunenye Ferguson Emekaraonye & Onyinye Ifeoma Ochuba & Nora Francis Inyang, 2023. "Information and communication technologies and sustainable development in ECOWAS subregion: Evidence from a panel cointegration analysis," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(2), pages 787-806, March.
    6. Debbra Toria Nipo & Jaratin Lily & Sidah Idris & Saizal Pinjaman & Imbarine Bujang, 2020. "Human Development through the Lens of Digital Literacy," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 10(3), pages 203-215, September.
    7. Jayanti Behera & Dukhabandhu Sahoo, 2022. "Asymmetric relationships between information and communication technology (ICT), globalization, and human development in India: evidence from non-linear ARDL analysis," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 11(1), pages 1-25, December.
    8. Juma Buhimila Mabula & Han Dong Ping & Moshi James, 2023. "The Impact of African Firms’ Utilization of Financial and Technology Resource on Innovation: A Simple Mediation," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
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