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Exploring Patterns in ICT Growth and Development in Africa: A Kohonen Map Analysis

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  • Olumayokun Soremekun

    (Bentley University)

  • Charles A. Malgwi

    (Bentley University)

Abstract

This paper explores whether the adoption and use of mobile phones in Africa following the United Nations Millennium Development Goal number 8 is seminal relative to other Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The dataset consists of the number of Internet users, computer users, and mobile subscribers per 100 people. We use Kohonen Self Organizing Maps on a panel of 48 countries organized in four geographic regions and two cohorts over the 2001-2007 period. Results show the existence of a digital divide in Africa overall, with northern and southern countries making significant progress while the western and eastern regions lag behind.

Suggested Citation

  • Olumayokun Soremekun & Charles A. Malgwi, 2013. "Exploring Patterns in ICT Growth and Development in Africa: A Kohonen Map Analysis," The Review of Regional Studies, Southern Regional Science Association, vol. 43(2,3), pages 175-190, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:rre:publsh:v:43:y:2013:i:23:p:175-190
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    information communication technology; Africa; digital divide; Kohonen map;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General
    • R12 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Interregional Trade (economic geography)

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