Not all that glitters is gold: ICT and inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This paper examines the short- and long-term effects of information and communication technology (ICT) on inclusive human development in a panel of 49 Sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2000-2012. ICT is measured in terms of mobile phone penetration, internet penetration and telephone penetration rates. While mobile phone penetration has positive short run and long-term effects on inclusive human development, the effects of internet and telephone penetrations are insignificant. Moreover, the long-term inclusive human development benefits of the mobile phone are higher than the corresponding short-term rewards. Policy implications are discussed.