Internet Usage and Human Development in Africa: A Cross-Regional Analysis

Abstract

Various studies have identified ICT as an enabler of human development and a means of developing countries to “leapfrog” their development. Positive relationships have been established between ICT and economic growth especially in developed countries. Most of the studies have focused on the modern ICTs in developed countries and traditional ICTs in developing countries. Very limited research has been undertaken on modern ICTs in developing countries, given that a lot of ICT investments have been put  in place. This paper examines the relationship between modern ICTs, and in particular Internet usage and human development based on secondary data on Africa. While the paper was not set out to understand the causality effect between ICT and HDI, the results do suggest a strong relationship at aggregate level. However, disaggregated analysis at regional level, yields mixed results. A positive and significant relationship is observed for all regions except the Northern Africa.