Openness, ICT and Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa

Information Technology & People,31(1), pp. 278-303 (February, 2018).

33 Pages Posted: 29 Jul 2017 Last revised: 5 Feb 2018

See all articles by Simplice Asongu

Simplice Asongu

African Governance and Development Institute

Jacinta Nwachukwu

Coventry University

Date Written: January 28, 2017

Abstract

This study has examined how information and communication technology (ICT) influences openness to improve the conditions of doing business in sub-Saharan Africa. The data is for the period 2000-2012. ICT is proxied with Internet and mobile phone penetration rates whereas openness is measured in terms of financial and trade globalisation. Ten indicators of doing business are used, namely: (i) cost of business start-up procedures; (ii) procedure to enforce a contract; (iii) start-up procedures to register a business; (iv) time required to build a warehouse; (v) time required to enforce a contract; (vi) time required to register a property; (vii) time required to start a business; (viii) time to export; (ix) time to prepare and pay taxes and (x) time to resolve an insolvency. The empirical evidence is based on Generalised Method of Moments with forward orthogonal deviations. While we find substantial evidence that ICT complements openness to improve conditions for entrepreneurship, the effects are contingent on the dynamics of openness, ICT and entrepreneurship. Theoretical and practical policy implications are discussed. The inquiry is based on two contemporary development concerns: the need for policy to leverage on the ICT penetration potential in the sub-region and the relevance of entrepreneurship in addressing associated issues of population growth such as unemployment.

Keywords: Openness; ICT; Entrepreneurship; Africa

JEL Classification: F40; O38; O40; O55; P37

Suggested Citation

Asongu, Simplice and Nwachukwu, Jacinta, Openness, ICT and Entrepreneurship in Sub-Saharan Africa (January 28, 2017). Information Technology & People,31(1), pp. 278-303 (February, 2018)., Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3010115 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3010115

Simplice Asongu (Contact Author)

African Governance and Development Institute ( email )

P.O. Box 8413
Yaoundé, 8413
Cameroon

Jacinta Nwachukwu

Coventry University ( email )

Priory Street
Coventry, CV1 5FB
United Kingdom

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