Mobile Phones and Development in Africa

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa PDF Author: Jenny C. Aker
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031418859
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
This book focuses on the impact of information technology on the lives and livelihoods of rural households in sub-Saharan Africa, where simple mobile phones have leapfrogged traditional communication and financial technologies, and thus, arguably, offer some of the greatest potential for development. Drawing on primary and secondary research from a variety of disciplines, the authors examine the evolution of mobile phone coverage and adoption in sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades, before exploring the main channels through which mobile phones can affect development. They then review initiatives on “digitizing development” and evaluate empirical evidence on their impact. The book argues that digital has yet to live up to the hype, ending with a set of questions that stakeholders should ask (and answer) when using digital technology for promoting development.

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa

Mobile Phones and Development in Africa PDF Author: Jenny C. Aker
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3031418859
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 189

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book focuses on the impact of information technology on the lives and livelihoods of rural households in sub-Saharan Africa, where simple mobile phones have leapfrogged traditional communication and financial technologies, and thus, arguably, offer some of the greatest potential for development. Drawing on primary and secondary research from a variety of disciplines, the authors examine the evolution of mobile phone coverage and adoption in sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades, before exploring the main channels through which mobile phones can affect development. They then review initiatives on “digitizing development” and evaluate empirical evidence on their impact. The book argues that digital has yet to live up to the hype, ending with a set of questions that stakeholders should ask (and answer) when using digital technology for promoting development.

Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa

Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa PDF Author: Jenny C. Aker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
We examine the growth of mobile phone technology over the past decade and consider its potential impacts upon quality of life in low-income countries, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. We first provide an overview of the patterns and determinants of mobile phone coverage in sub-Saharan Africa before describing the characteristics of primary and secondary mobile phone adopters on the continent. We then discuss the channels through which mobile phone technology can impact development outcomes, both as a positive externality of the communication sector and as part of mobile phone-based development projects, and analyze existing evidence. While current research suggests that mobile phone coverage and adoption have had positive impacts on agricultural and labor market efficiency and welfare in certain countries, empirical evidence is still somewhat limited. In addition, mobile phone technology cannot serve as the “silver bullet” for development in sub-Saharan Africa. Careful impact evaluations of mobile phone development projects are required to better understand their impacts upon economic and social outcomes, and mobile phone technology must work in partnership with other public good provision and investment.

Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa

Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa PDF Author: Jenny C. Aker
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 45

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Book Description
Jenny Aker and Isaac Mbiti examine the growth of mobile phone technology over the past decade and consider its potential impacts upon quality of life in low-income countries, with a particular focus on sub-Saharan Africa. They first provide an overview of the patterns and determinants of mobile phone coverage in sub-Saharan Africa before describing the characteristics of primary and secondary mobile phone adopters on the continent. They then discuss the channels through which mobile phone technology can impact development outcomes, both as a positive externality of the communication sector and as part of mobile phone-based development projects, and analyze existing evidence. While current research suggests that mobile phone coverage and adoption have had positive impacts on agricultural and labor market efficiency and welfare in certain countries, empirical evidence is still somewhat limited. In addition, mobile phone technology cannot serve as the “silver bullet” for development in sub-Saharan Africa. Careful impact evaluations of mobile phone development projects are required to better understand their impacts upon economic and social outcomes, and mobile phone technology must work in partnership with other public good provision and investment.

The African Mobile Story

The African Mobile Story PDF Author: Knud Erik Skouby
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 100079735X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 179

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Book Description
Africa and especially Sub-Saharan Africa has during the past decade witnessed one of the fastest growing markets in mobile communication. This growth is recognized to have played a pivotal role in Africa’s socio-economic development. It has had a huge impact on residential living patterns; on business networks and models; and on government services and income sources. The mobile industry has contributed more to economic growth than in any other comparable region globally introducing innovative, broadly used applications. Technical topics discussed in the book include:• Mobile Development in Sub-Saharan Africa;• Telecom Liberalization in Africa;• Role of Mobile in Socio-economic Development;• Mobile Applications in specific sectors;• Security in African Mobile;• Role of Prepaid in Africa

The Impact of Mobile Phones on Poverty and Inequality in Developing Countries

The Impact of Mobile Phones on Poverty and Inequality in Developing Countries PDF Author: Jeffrey James
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 331927368X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 99

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Book Description
This book investigates at both the micro- and macroeconomic levels the impact of mobile phones on poverty and inequality in developing countries. To gauge the effects of mobile phones on these aspects, the author refers to the standard concept of technology adoption and also analyses the actual utilization of mobile phones as a means of communication and the degree to which they have supplanted fixed-line phones. Readers will learn why the substitution effect is stronger among poor than rich users and why the benefits of some mobile phone projects are confined to the local or village level, while in other projects the gains can be felt throughout the economy as a whole.

The Impact of Mobile Phone Telecommunications on Economic Growth in India and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Analysis of Mobile Phone-based Business Models

The Impact of Mobile Phone Telecommunications on Economic Growth in India and Sub-Saharan Africa and the Analysis of Mobile Phone-based Business Models PDF Author: Camille Chauvin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
This paper intends to analyze the effect of the rapid growth of mobile phone subscriptions on economic growth in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. The first part of the paper tests this relationship quantitatively using a panel data regression based on an aggregate production model. The analysis results for India find a positive and significant relationship between mobile telecommunications density and the level of GDP in Indian states while a more detailed analysis shows that it is the growth of mobile phone subscriptions in rural areas that significantly drives this impact. Concerning the analysis on Sub-Saharan Africa, the results show that the relationship between mobile phones and economic growth is also positive and significant for middle and high income countries in Sub-Saharan Africa; yet about 10 times weaker than in India. Finally, the last section of the paper focuses on the qualitative aspect of the analysis and examines the impact of mobile phones through the case study of three mobile phone-based business models. Each of the companies selected has the particularity that its business model contributes to the improvement of the education, agriculture or health sector, all of which constitute important factors for development. The case studies help understand how companies are able solve a development issue by leveraging the potential of mobile phone usage and provides insights in the main challenges to overcome for mobile solutions to achieve scale and sustainability.

ICT, Financial Inclusion, and Growth

ICT, Financial Inclusion, and Growth PDF Author: Mr.Kangni Kpodar
Publisher: International Monetary Fund
ISBN: 1455227064
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 47

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Book Description
This paper studies the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT), especially mobile phone rollout, on economic growth in a sample of African countries from 1988 to 2007. Further, we investigate whether financial inclusion is one of the channels through which mobile phone development influences economic growth. In estimating the impact of ICT on economic growth, we use a wide range of ICT indicators, including mobile and fixed telephone penetration rates and the cost of local calls. We address any endogeneity issues by using the System Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimator. Financial inclusion is captured by variables measuring access to financial services, such as the number of deposits or loans per head, compiled by Beck, Demirguc-Kunt, and Martinez Peria (2007) and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP, 2009). The results confirm that ICT, including mobile phone development, contribute significantly to economic growth in African countries. Part of the positive effect of mobile phone penetration on growth comes from greater financial inclusion. At the same time, the development of mobile phones consolidates the impact of financial inclusion on economic growth, especially in countries where mobile financial services take hold.

Mobile Technologies and Socio-Economic Development in Emerging Nations

Mobile Technologies and Socio-Economic Development in Emerging Nations PDF Author: Mtenzi, Fredrick Japhet
Publisher: IGI Global
ISBN: 152254030X
Category : Computers
Languages : en
Pages : 383

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Book Description
As technology advances, mobile devices have become more affordable and useful to countries around the world. As a result, mobile evolution has become an essential part of economic and social advancement. Mobile Technologies and Socio-Economic Development in Emerging Nations provides emerging research on the role of mobile devices as an important aspect of social and economic growth in developing countries. While highlighting topics, such as device authentication, mobile data management, and sensor services, this book explores how mobile devices have evolved to become an extremely useful tool. This book is a vital resource for academicians, researchers, students, practitioners, politicians, and professionals seeking current research on the uses, applications, and advantages of mobile services in increasing economic growth.

Introduction to Special Issue

Introduction to Special Issue PDF Author: Simplice Asongu
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 7

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Book Description
The primary objective of this special issue is to showcase high-quality interdisciplinary research in the field of mobile phone technology and inclusive economic development, with a view to inspire and educate readers and policy makers on the vital role of mobile phones in economic development in Africa. We hope that the articles in this special issue will encourage academics and policy makers to carry out more research on the challenges and opportunities mobile phone technology offers in our quest to develop our communities.

Africa's Development in Historical Perspective

Africa's Development in Historical Perspective PDF Author: Emmanuel Akyeampong
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 1107041155
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 541

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Book Description
Why has Africa remained persistently poor over its recorded history? Has Africa always been poor? What has been the nature of Africa's poverty and how do we explain its origins? This volume takes a necessary interdisciplinary approach to these questions by bringing together perspectives from archaeology, linguistics, history, anthropology, political science, and economics. Several contributors note that Africa's development was at par with many areas of Europe in the first millennium of the Common Era. Why Africa fell behind is a key theme in this volume, with insights that should inform Africa's developmental strategies.