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Determinants of adoption of Internet in Africa: Case of 17 sub-Saharan countries

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  • Birba, Ousmane
  • Diagne, Abdoulaye

Abstract

This study develops two-level hierarchical model that identifies factors that favor or hamper the use of Internet in Africa. We used data from a survey covering 17 African countries. Our results confirm that urbanization and the spread of Internet infrastructures play an important role in individual decisions to adopt this technology. They also reveal that an individual will have a larger probability to use Internet if he/she has at least completed primary education.

Suggested Citation

  • Birba, Ousmane & Diagne, Abdoulaye, 2012. "Determinants of adoption of Internet in Africa: Case of 17 sub-Saharan countries," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 23(4), pages 463-472.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:streco:v:23:y:2012:i:4:p:463-472
    DOI: 10.1016/j.strueco.2012.06.003
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    3. Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus, 2021. "Determinants of digitalization and digital divide in Sub-Saharan African economies: A spatial Durbin analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(10).
    4. Hasbi, Maude & Dubus, Antoine, 2020. "Determinants of mobile broadband use in developing economies: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(5).
    5. Maude Hasbi & Antoine Dubus, 2019. "Determinants of Mobile Broadband Use in Developing Economies: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Working Papers hal-02264651, HAL.
    6. Hasbi, Maude & Dubus, Antoine, 2019. "Determinants of Mobile Broadband Use in Developing Economies: Evidence from Nigeria," 2nd Europe – Middle East – North African Regional ITS Conference, Aswan 2019: Leveraging Technologies For Growth 201730, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    7. Juan Lin & Zhou Yu & Yehua Dennis Wei & Mingfeng Wang, 2017. "Internet Access, Spillover and Regional Development in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    8. Hasbi, Maude & Dubus, Antoine, 2019. "Determinants of Mobile Broadband Use in Developing Economies: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," 30th European Regional ITS Conference, Helsinki 2019 205180, International Telecommunications Society (ITS).
    9. Ramírez-Hassan, Andrés & Carvajal-Rendón, Daniela A., 2021. "Specification uncertainty in modeling internet adoption: A developing city case analysis," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    10. Simone CASCHILI & Francesca MEDDA, 2015. "The Port Attractiveness Index:Application On African Ports," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 41, pages 47-82.
    11. Granguillhome Ochoa, Rogelio & Lach, Samantha & Masaki, Takaaki & Rodríguez-Castelán, Carlos, 2022. "Mobile internet adoption in West Africa," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    12. Damien Girollet, 2024. "Digital divides among microenterprises: Evidence from sub‐Saharan Africa," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 36(2), pages 1350-1380, March.
    13. Cariolle, Joël, 2021. "International connectivity and the digital divide in Sub-Saharan Africa," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    14. Penard, Thierry & Poussing, Nicolas & Mukoko, Blaise & Tamokwe Piaptie, Georges Bertrand, 2015. "Internet adoption and usage patterns in Africa: Evidence from Cameroon," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 71-80.
    15. Ha, Le Thanh, 2022. "Effects of digitalization on financialization: Empirical evidence from European countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    16. Chen,Rong - DECIG, 2021. "A Demand-Side View of Mobile Internet Adoption in the Global South," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9590, The World Bank.
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    18. Damien GIROLLET, 2023. "Digital divides among microsized firms: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Bordeaux Economics Working Papers 2023-03, Bordeaux School of Economics (BSE).

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