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Infrastructure and inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa: An empirical analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Onesmus Mbaabu Mutiiria

    (School of Management and Economics, Center for West African Studies, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China)

  • Qingjiang Ju

    (School of Management and Economics, Center for West African Studies, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China)

  • Koffi Dumor

    (School of Management and Economics, Center for West African Studies, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China)

Abstract

This study provides an empirical assessment of infrastructure and inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). An inclusive growth index has been constructed and then used to test the infrastructure–inclusive growth nexus. The study has also examined whether infrastructure has a distributive impact on income groups. The overall analysis employed panel data collected from 31 SSA countries over the period 2003–17. The study found a positive link between infrastructure and inclusive growth. These results were significant for energy, transport and information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructures. It was also found that poorer people gain more benefits from the listed infrastructures than the rich, which shows that infrastructure plays an important role in the distribution of income. The overall results imply that infrastructure is vital in reducing income disparities and enhancing shared prosperity in SSA. Policies for increasing access and affordability of infrastructure services are highly recommended to promote inclusion.

Suggested Citation

  • Onesmus Mbaabu Mutiiria & Qingjiang Ju & Koffi Dumor, 2020. "Infrastructure and inclusive growth in sub-Saharan Africa: An empirical analysis," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 20(3), pages 187-207, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:20:y:2020:i:3:p:187-207
    DOI: 10.1177/1464993420927507
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Changteng Nie & Jianxiang Wan, 2023. "How Does Internet Infrastructure Construction Affect the Urban–Rural Income Gap? Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment in China," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 23(3), pages 317-337, July.
    3. Ofori, Isaac Kwesi, 2021. "Catching The Drivers of Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Application of Machine Learning," EconStor Preprints 235482, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    4. Ofori, Isaac K. & Gbolonyo, Emmanuel Y. & Toyo Dossou, Marcel A. & Nkrumah, Richard K. & Nkansah, Emmanuel, 2023. "Towards inclusive growth in Africa: Remittances, and financial development interactive effects and thresholds," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    5. Ofori, Isaac K. & Dossou, Marcel A.M. & Asongu, Simplice A. & Armah, Mark K., 2023. "Bridging Africa’s income inequality gap: How relevant is China’s outward FDI to Africa?," Economic Systems, Elsevier, vol. 47(1).
    6. Isaac K. Ofori & Toyo A. M. Dossou & Simplice A. Asongu & Mark K. Armah, 2021. "Bridging Africa’s Income Inequality Gap: How Relevant Is China’s Outward FDI to Africa?," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 21/098, African Governance and Development Institute..
    7. Ofori, Isaac K. & Gbolonyo, Emmanuel & Dossou, Marcel A. T. & Nkrumah, Richard K., 2022. "Remittances and Income Inequality in Africa: Financial Development Thresholds for Economic Policy," MPRA Paper 113015, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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