Technology and control of corruption in Africa

Abstract

AbstractThe study assesses the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) on the control of corruption in Africa from 2002 to 2020. The fixed‐ and the random‐effects models are employed as strategies of estimation. Due to the weaknesses of the fixed‐ and the random‐effects models, the two‐stage least square (2SLS) is adopted as a strategy that addresses the problem of potential endogeneity. For robustness checks, we adopt Lewbel's technique as an alternative instrumental technique to address the concern of endogeneity. The findings reveal that mobile phones penetration, internet penetration and the composite indicator of ICT contribute positively to the enhancement of corruption control in Africa. Though, other ICT indicators such as fixed telephone and fixed broadband negatively affect control of corruption. The composite indicator that encompasses four proxies of ICT shows a significant positive effect on the control of corruption. From the findings of the study, growth in technology infrastructures can help to build a surveillance system that can help to monitor and control corruption. We recommend that African economies accelerate e‐government to ensure transparency in public sectors.