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The Welfare Effects of Mobile Broadband Internet: Evidence from Nigeria

Author

Listed:
  • Bahia, Kalvin

    (GSMA)

  • Castells, Pau

    (GSMA)

  • Cruz, Genaro

    (GSMA)

  • Masaki, Takaaki

    (World Bank)

  • Pedrós, Xavier

    (GSMA)

  • Pfutze, Tobias

    (Florida International University)

  • Rodriguez Castelan, Carlos

    () (World Bank)

  • Winkler, Hernan

    () (World Bank)

Abstract

This paper estimates the impacts of mobile broadband coverage on household consumption and poverty in Nigeria, the largest economy and mobile broadband market in Africa. The analysis exploits a unique dataset that integrates three waves of a nationally representative longitudinal household survey on living standards with information from Nigerian mobile operators on the deployment of mobile broadband (3G and 4G) coverage between 2010 and 2016. The estimates show that mobile broadband coverage had large and positive impacts on household consumption levels which increased over time, although at a decreasing rate. Mobile broadband coverage also reduces the proportion of households below the poverty line, driven by higher food and non-food consumption in rural households. These effects are mainly due to an increase in labor force participation and employment, particularly among women.

Suggested Citation

  • Bahia, Kalvin & Castells, Pau & Cruz, Genaro & Masaki, Takaaki & Pedrós, Xavier & Pfutze, Tobias & Rodriguez Castelan, Carlos & Winkler, Hernan, 2020. "The Welfare Effects of Mobile Broadband Internet: Evidence from Nigeria," IZA Discussion Papers 13219, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp13219
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

    1. Masaki,Takaaki & Granguillhome Ochoa,Rogelio & Rodriguez Castelan,Carlos, 2020. "Broadband Internet and Household Welfare in Senegal," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9386, The World Bank.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    poverty; household consumption; mobile broadband; Africa; Nigeria;

    JEL classification:

    • D12 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
    • F63 - International Economics - - Economic Impacts of Globalization - - - Economic Development
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • L86 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Information and Internet Services; Computer Software
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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