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Sustainable urbanization and vulnerability to climate change in Africa: Accounting for digitalization and institutional quality

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  • Aurelien K. Yeyouomo

    (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaoundé, Cameroon)

Abstract

This study empirically examines the effect of sustainable urbanization on vulnerability to climate change over a sample of 52 African countries from 1996 to 2019. We use the two-stage system generalized method of moments (GMM) empirical strategy and mediation analysis to assess direct and indirect impacts, respectively. The results of the direct analysis reveal that sustainable urbanization reduces vulnerability to climate change. The results of the indirect analysis also show that sustainable urbanization significantly reduces vulnerability to climate change through the channels of digitalization and institutional quality. The results also highlight that considering the direct effect of sustainable urbanization alone underestimates the impact of reducing vulnerability to climate change. The results are robust to an alternative indicator of vulnerability to climate and other estimation techniques. These results have important policy implications and provide evidence for the improvement of sustainable urbanization in terms of access to basic services or reduction of vulnerability to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Aurelien K. Yeyouomo & Simplice A. Asongu, 2023. "Sustainable urbanization and vulnerability to climate change in Africa: Accounting for digitalization and institutional quality," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 23/045, African Governance and Development Institute..
    • Handle: RePEc:agd:wpaper:23/045
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    2. Sévérin TAMWO & Etayibtalnam KOUDJOM & Aurelien KAMDEM YEYOUOMO, 2024. "Effects of income inequality on COVID-19 in Africa: Accounting for literacy and informal sector," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 60, pages 91-111.

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    Keywords

    Sustainable urbanization; Vulnerability to climate change; Digitalization; Institutional quality; Africa;
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