The Internet and Export: Some Cross-Country Evidence from Selected African Countries

Abstract

This article reports on a study of the effect of Internet use on exports in Africa. A panel data regression approach was adopted with data drawn from secondary sources in selected African countries. A 1 percent increase in Internet use is associated with a 2.2 percent increase in exports, and this is indicative of the importance of the Internet in reducing the cost of exports of African economies. Access to the Internet would increase export through a reduction in the entry and search costs associated with exporting from Africa.