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ICT use, innovation, and productivity : evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa

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  • Cirera,Xavier
  • Lage,Filipe
  • Sabetti,Leonard

Abstract

This paper examines empirically the links between adoption of information and communications technology (ICT), defined as usage by firms, innovation, and productivity using firm-level data for a sample of six Sub-Saharan African countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. Although adoption of information and communications technology in these countries is still lagging behind OECD countries, there is significant heterogeneity on adoption rates across the countries. Kenya has the largest adoption rate of computer, software, and Internet usage. The Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania experience lower adoption rates. The degree of internationalization of the firm, use of technology, and extent of competition are important factors explaining firm-level use of ICT. The results of the estimates suggest that ICT use is an important and robust enabler of product, process, and organization innovation across all six countries. However, the final impact on productivity depends on the degree of novelty of the innovation introduced by the firm.

Suggested Citation

  • Cirera,Xavier & Lage,Filipe & Sabetti,Leonard, 2016. "ICT use, innovation, and productivity : evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa," Policy Research Working Paper Series 7868, The World Bank.
    • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:7868
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    Cited by:

    1. Simon Ndicu & Dianah Ngui & Laura Barasa, 2024. "Technological Catch-Up, Innovation, and Productivity Analysis of National Innovation Systems in Developing Countries in Africa 2010–2018," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(2), pages 7941-7967, June.
    2. Bakari, Sayef & Tiba, Sofien, 2020. "The Impact of Internet on Economic Growth in North Africa: New empirical and policy analysis," MPRA Paper 100609, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Marc Audi & Amjad Ali & Razan Al-Masri, 2022. "Determinants of Advancement in Information Communication Technologies and its Prospect under the role of Aggregate and Disaggregate Globalization," Scientific Annals of Economics and Business (continues Analele Stiintifice), Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, vol. 69(2), pages 191-215, June.
    4. Audi, Marc & Ali, Amjad, 2019. "The Advancement in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Economic Development: A Panel Analysis," MPRA Paper 93476, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Patrick Plane & Marie-Ange Véganzonès-Varoudakis, 2019. "Innovation, productivity, exports and the investment climate: A study based on Indian manufacturing firm-level data," Post-Print halshs-02137297, HAL.
    6. Niebel, Thomas, 2018. "ICT and economic growth – Comparing developing, emerging and developed countries," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 197-211.
    7. Kelefa Mwantimwa, 2019. "ICT usage to enhance firms’ business processes in Tanzania," Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, Springer;UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, vol. 9(1), pages 1-23, December.
    8. Torres, Carla Cecilia, 2021. "Adaptation and Validation of Technostress Creators and Technostress Inhibitors Inventories in a Spanish-Speaking Latin American Country," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    9. Jan Fagerberg & Erika Kraemer-Mbula & Edward Lorenz, 2021. "An Evolutionary Analysis of Transformative Change in LDCs: the cases of Kenya and Rwanda," Working Papers on Innovation Studies 20210623, Centre for Technology, Innovation and Culture, University of Oslo.
    10. Edeh, Jude N. & Acedo, Francisco J., 2021. "External supports, innovation efforts and productivity: Estimation of a CDM model for small firms in developing countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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