Contemporary Research Analysis Journal

This study explores a panel data analysis covering 30 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2010 to 2023. This study’s variables include GDP growth, digital infrastructure quality, network coverage, mobile speeds, handset affordability indicators, exchange rate and FDI and use System GMM estimator for data estimation. The study finds that while infrastructure index is marginally significant and negatively associated with GDP growth, network coverage is significantly positive with GDP. Also, it reveals that mobile download and upload speeds are negatively and positively impact on GDP growth rate. Handset affordability and foreign direct investment are positively but insignificantly related to economic growth rate in the sub-region. EXR is Insignificant but has the expected negative sign with GDP growth rate. Therefore, this study recommends that authority of the various countries in this region should prioritize internet coverage and inclusive mobile access over merely increasing speed or technology levels could go a long way to improving economic growth. They should also, complement digital infrastructure with access to electricity and affordable data to ensuring satisfaction.

digital infrastructure, economic growth, mobile download speeds, mobile upload speeds, network coverage, handset affordability.

1. Arendt, Ł. (2015). The digital economy, ICT and economic growth in the CEE countries. Olsztyn Economic Journal, 10(3), 247–262. https://doi.org/10.31648/oej.3150.
2. AUC/OECD (2021), Africa’s Development Dynamics 2021: Digital Transformation for Quality Jobs, AUC, Addis Ababa/OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/0a5c9314-en
3. Banga, K., & Te Velde, D. W. (2018). Digitalisation and the future of African manufacturing. ODI.
4. Correa, E., & Esquivias, M. A. (2025). Digitalization, education, and institutional quality in SSA. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 11, 101423.
5. Czernich, N., Falck, O., Kretschmer, T., & Woessmann, L. (2011). Broadband infrastructure and economic growth. Economic Journal, 121(552), 505–532.
6. David, O. O., & Grobler, W. (2020). ICT penetration level as an impetus for economic growth in Africa. Economic Research, 33(1), 1394–1418. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1745661
7. Donou-Adonsou, F. (2019). Technology, education, and economic growth in SSA. Telecommunications Policy, 43(4), 353–360.
8. Elfaki, K. E., & Ahmed, E. M. (2024). Digital tech and sustainable growth in Asia-Pacific. Journal of Open Innovation, 10(1), 100221.
9. GSMA. (2022). The Mobile Economy: Sub-Saharan Africa 2022.
10. Hjort, J., & Poulsen, J. (2019). The arrival of fast internet and employment in Africa. American Economic Review, 109(3), 1032–1079.
11. James, J., & Versteeg, M. (2007). Mobile phones in Africa. Social Indicators Research, 84(1), 117–126.
12. Kabeta, E., & Sidhu, S. (2016). Output and employment growth in Ethiopia. Academic Journal of Economic Studies, 2(4), 139–156.
13. Karar, H. (2019). Algorithmic capitalism and the digital divide. Journal of Developing Societies, 35(4), 514–537.
14. Lee, H., Levendis, J., & Gutierrez, L. (2012). Telecommunications and economic growth in SSA. Applied Economics, 44(4), 461–469.
15. Mwakabungu, B. H. P., & Kauangal, J. (2023). FDI and growth in Tanzania. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(1), 2204606.
16. Myovella, G., Karacuka, M., & Haucap, J. (2019). Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies. Telecommunications Policy. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2019.101856.
17. Ndubuisi, G., Otioma, C., & Tetteh, G. K. (2021). Digital infrastructure and employment in SSA. Telecommunications Policy, 45(1), 102153.
18. Ndung’u, N., & Signé, L. (2020). The Fourth Industrial Revolution and Digitization in Africa into a global powerhouse. Brookings Institution.
19. Njoh, A. J. (2018). The Relationship between Modern Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) and Development in Africa. Utilities Policy, 50, 83-90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2017.10.005
20. Solomon, E.M., &, Klyton, A.V. (2020). The impact of digital technology usage on economic growth in Africa. Utilities Policy 67, 101104, 1-12.
21. World Bank. (2023). World Development Indicators.