“Investment in ICT infrastructure and inclusive growth in Africa” published in Scientific African this month examines the relationship between ICT investment and growth.Access to electricity is critical to drive growth in the ICT sector.
The researchers found that ICT infrastructure development has a positive and significant impact on inclusive growth on the continent. This is based on the analysis of 46 countries in Africa from 2000 to 2019. “Furthermore, digitisation and investment in ICT infrastructure can serve as a veritable tool to reduce poverty, inequality and unemployment in the continent and to drive inclusiveness given that African youths are tech-savvy, resilient and adaptable to the rapidly evolving global digital economy,” the researchers explain.