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La diffusion des TIC ameliore‐t‐elle qualitativement les institutions politiques en Afrique?

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  • Désiré Avom
  • Louis de Berquin Eyike Mbongo

Abstract

This paper empirically analyses the impact of the diffusion of information and communication technology (ICT) on the quality of institutions simultaneously captured by democracy and corruption in a few African countries. To do so, we specify a panel Tobit model in which democracy is measured by the Institutional Quality Index proposed by the ICRG, while corruption is approximated by the Corruption Control Index. Our model is estimated on a sample of 40 African countries over the period 1995–2018. Overall, the main results show that ICT diffusion significantly improves the quality of democracy and reduces the propensity to corruption in the sample countries. We suggest strengthening the rule of law to increase the quality of democracy, a source of positive externalities on corruption. Ce papier analyse empiriquement l'impact de la diffusion des TIC (Technologie de l'Information et de la Communication), sur la qualité des institutions captées simultanément par la démocratie et la corruption dans quelques pays africains. Pour y parvenir, nous spécifions un modèle Tobit en panel dans lequel la démocratie est mesurée par l'indice de qualité institutionnelle proposée par l'ICRG, alors que la corruption est approximée par celui du contrôle de la corruption. Notre modèle est estimé sur un échantillon de 40 pays africains sur la période 1995–2018. Les principaux résultats montrent globalement que la diffusion des TIC améliore significativement la qualité de la démocratie, et réduit la propension à la corruption dans les pays de l’échantillon. Nous suggérons le renforcement de l’état de droit pour accroitre la qualité de la démocratie, source d'externalités positives sur la corruption.

Suggested Citation

  • Désiré Avom & Louis de Berquin Eyike Mbongo, 2020. "La diffusion des TIC ameliore‐t‐elle qualitativement les institutions politiques en Afrique?," African Development Review, African Development Bank, vol. 32(3), pages 419-431, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:afrdev:v:32:y:2020:i:3:p:419-431
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-8268.12449
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    2. Yselle F. Malah Kuete & Simplice A. Asongu, 2023. "Infrastructure Development as a Prerequisite for Structural Change in Africa," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 14(2), pages 1386-1412, June.

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