Information and communication technologies role in alleviating poverty in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Impacts and transmission channels

Abstract

Research has continued to indicate that the proliferation of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has the potential to alleviate poverty in developing countries. While theoretically, there are several mechanisms through which ICT may reduce poverty, they have not been empirically tested sufficiently. The present study aimed to recognize the mechanisms through which ICT may reduce poverty for a sample of 37 economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region during the period 2003-2019. Altering the income distribution, improving the ecological system, increasing the employment rate, increasing per capita income, and improving institutional quality were the assumed mechanisms through which ICT may reduce poverty.The results of the two-step system GMM technique showed that while an increase in the per capita income and employment rate contributed positively to poverty reduction, improvement in the environmental quality increased the poverty rate. The causal mediation analysis findings showed that ICT strengthened the negative impact of worsening the quality of the environment on poverty. However, the strengthened positive impact of ICT on poverty through employment and per capita income was greater than the negative influence through the environmental mechanism. Thus, all national strategies or initiatives aimed at reducing poverty in SSA must incorporate pro-poor ICT policies.

Yükselen Sanayi Ekonomilerinde Dijitalleşme ve Küreselleşmenin Gelir Dağılımı Üzerindeki Etkisi

“…In their study conducted for 35 Sub-Saharan African countries using the Finite Mixture Model (FMM), Ndoya and Asongu (2022) suggest that in the period 2004-2016, digital inequality had a negative effect on income inequality, especially in countries with high globalization tendency, while digital inequality has a positive impact on income inequality in countries with low globalization level. Awad (2022) asserts that the expansion of ICTs positively affects poverty levels in 37 Sub-Saharan African countries. Dzator et al (2023) researched the relationship between digitalization and poverty in Sub-Saharan African countries over the period 2010-2019 by using a system and GMM estimator.…”

Participatory communication strategies for poverty alleviation in remote indigenous communities

“…To effectively manage poverty dynamics, their strategy needs to have a thorough awareness of the local environment, which includes considering the socioeconomic and cultural nuances that influence these dynamics . These scholars can assist by formulating communication techniques that facilitate social transformation, empowerment, and development activities customised to the particular requirements of the community (Awad, 2023;Dzator et al, 2023;Gu et al, 2023). Creation communication scholars should prioritise the use of participatory communication strategies, which actively engage local communities in problem identification and solution creation (Hidayat et al, 2023;.…”

“…These researchers can contribute substantially to poverty reduction initiatives by promoting participatory communication, combining traditional and modern knowledge, and enhancing local media platforms. Their work guarantees that development projects are culturally sensitive, community-led, and sustainable, ultimately resulting in a fairer and more prosperous society (Abdulai et al, 2023;Awad, 2023;Dahiya et al, 2023;Gu et al, 2023;Mittal et al, 2023;Newig et al, 2023;Safitri, 2021;Tanko et al, 2023).…”

“…An essential strategy emphasised is the utilisation of Islamic communication, which plays a crucial role in executing social support programmes (Briandana et al, 2020;Rubawati, 2018). This culturally sensitive approach effectively resonates with local people, hence boosting the receptivity and effectiveness of poverty reduction activities (Awad, 2023;Dahiya et al, 2023;Dzator et al, 2023). To establish a better bond with the community and ensure that the aid supplied is effectively used to reduce poverty, social services align their communication methods with the prevailing religious beliefs (Azhari et al, 2023).…”