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Female Economic Participation with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Advancement: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Uchenna R. Efobi

    (Covenant University, Nigeria)

  • Belmondo V. Tanankem

    (MINEPAT, Yaoundé, Cameroon)

  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa)

Abstract

This study complements existing literature by investigating how the advancement in information and communication technology affects the formal economic participation of women. The focus is on 48 African countries for the period 1990-2014. The empirical evidence is based on Ordinary Least Squares, Fixed Effects and the Generalized Method of Moments regressions. The results show that improving communication technology increases female economic participation with the following consistent order of increasing magnitude: mobile phone penetration; internet penetration, and fixed broadband subscriptions. The findings are robust to the control for heterogeneities across countries. Policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Uchenna R. Efobi & Belmondo V. Tanankem & Simplice A. Asongu, 2018. "Female Economic Participation with Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Advancement: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Research Africa Network Working Papers 18/005, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    • Handle: RePEc:abh:wpaper:18/005
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Africa; Gender; ICT; Inclusive development; Technology;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I32 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Measurement and Analysis of Poverty
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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