How digital innovation affects women's entrepreneurship in Africa? An analysis of transmission channels

Abstract

Digital innovations in Africa have increased dramatically over the past two decades, and are fueling a rich literature. In this paper, we examine their impact and transmission channels on women's entrepreneurship in a sample of 54 African countries. We specify and estimate a cross-sectional data model by generalized least squares (GLS) over the period of 1996–2020. Our results show that digital innovations (measured by researchers in R&D, firms in R&D, patents owed by residents, patents owed by non-residents) significantly reduce women's entrepreneurship in Africa. Their effects are mediated by energy, female education, the internet, mobile phones, migration and marriage. We suggest strengthening the digital infrastructure for sustainable women's entrepreneurship in Africa.