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Enhancing ICT for productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: Thresholds for complementary policies

Author

Listed:
  • Simplice A. Asongu
  • Paul N. Acha-Anyi

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the relevance of enhancing information and communication technology (ICT) on dynamics of total factor productivity (TFP) in 25 sub-Saharan African countries using data covering the period 1980–2014. The empirical evidence is based on the Generalised Method of Moments. The following main findings are established. First, while enhancing ICT overwhelmingly has net positive effects on productivity, the corresponding marginal effects are negative. Second, an extended analysis is performed to establish thresholds for complementary policies. These thresholds are: 100% mobile phone penetration for TFP; between 101.214% and 101.419% mobile phone penetration for welfare TFP and 15% internet penetration for welfare real TFP. It follows that approximately 100% mobile penetration and 15% internet penetration are thresholds at which ICT should be complemented with other macroeconomic policies for favorable outcomes on productivity dynamics. Other policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice A. Asongu & Paul N. Acha-Anyi, 2020. "Enhancing ICT for productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: Thresholds for complementary policies," African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(7), pages 831-845, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rajsxx:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:831-845
    DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2020.1732596
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    Cited by:

    1. Vu, K. & Asongu, S., 2023. "Patterns and drivers of financial sector growth in the digital age: Insights from a study of industrialized economies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    2. Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "The Effects of Mobile Phone Technology, Knowledge Creation and Diffusion on Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 12(3), pages 1367-1398, September.
    3. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2022. "Remittances and value added across economic sub-sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(1), pages 23-41, February.
    4. Simplice A. Asongu & Mushfiqur Rahman & Joseph Nnanna & Mohamed Haffar, 2020. "Enhancing Information Technology for Value Added Across Economic Sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 20/064, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    5. Asongu, Simplice & Amari, Mouna & Jarboui, Anis & Mouakhar, Khaireddine, 2021. "ICT dynamics for gender inclusive intermediary education: Minimum poverty and inequality thresholds in developing countries," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(5).
    6. Joshua Dzankar Zoaka & Hasan Güngör, 2023. "Effects of financial development and capital accumulation on labor productivity in sub-Saharan Africa: new insight from cross sectional autoregressive lag approach," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 9(1), pages 1-18, December.
    7. Adeabah, David & Asongu, Simplice & Andoh, Charles, 2021. "Remittances, ICT and pension income coverage: The international evidence," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    8. Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas M. Odhiambo, 2023. "Foreign Direct Investment, Information Technology, And Total Factor Productivity Dynamics In Sub‐Saharan Africa," World Affairs, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 186(2), pages 469-506, June.
    9. Hu, Dengfeng & You, Kefei & Esiyok, Bulent, 2021. "Foreign direct investment among developing markets and its technological impact on host: Evidence from spatial analysis of Chinese investment in Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    10. Asongu, Simplice A. & Rahman, Mushfiqur & Nnanna, Joseph & Haffar, Mohamed, 2020. "Enhancing information technology for value added across economic sectors in Sub-Saharan Africa✰," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E23 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Production
    • F21 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Investment; Long-Term Capital Movements
    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • L96 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Transportation and Utilities - - - Telecommunications
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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