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Digital divides among microenterprises: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa

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  • Damien Girollet

    (BSE - Bordeaux Sciences Economiques - UB - Université de Bordeaux - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

This paper investigates digital inequalities in usage within African informal sectors. In particular, we examine whether the uneven digital diffusion is embedded in pre‐existing socio‐economic inequalities. After identifying three segments of informal firms, we rely on multivariate and decomposition analyses to identify predictors of usage of digital technologies for business purposes and explain usage gaps between segments. Our findings suggest that digital inequalities are rooted in the vertical heterogeneity of informal sectors, with some firm characteristics significantly predicting professional use of digital technologies. In addition, we find that there are both common and segment‐specific levers for addressing digital inequalities between informal firms.

Suggested Citation

  • Damien Girollet, 2023. "Digital divides among microenterprises: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa," Post-Print hal-04395947, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-04395947
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.3860
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-04395947
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Adeleke, 2021. "Digital divide in Nigeria: The role of regional differentials," African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(3), pages 333-346, April.
    2. Oaxaca, Ronald, 1973. "Male-Female Wage Differentials in Urban Labor Markets," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 14(3), pages 693-709, October.
    3. Nancy Benjamin & Ahmadou Aly Mbaye, 2012. "The Informal Sector in Francophone Africa : Firm Size, Productivity, and Institutions [Les entreprises informelles de l'Afrique de l'ouest francophone : Taille, productivité et institutions]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 9364, December.
    4. Buys, Piet & Dasgupta, Susmita & Thomas, Timothy S. & Wheeler, David, 2009. "Determinants of a Digital Divide in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Spatial Econometric Analysis of Cell Phone Coverage," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 37(9), pages 1494-1505, September.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; Digital divide; ICT; Digital technology; Informal sector;
    All these keywords.

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