Role of ICT Literacy in Driving Economic Prosperity in Africa

The study examines the impact of ICT policy variables, specifically mobile phone and internet usage, on economic growth in Africa. A robust methodological framework was employed, encompassing pooled, fixed effects, random effects, and system GMM approaches to analyze data from 45 countries spanning the 2008–2023 period. The findings reveal that ICT variables significantly and positively influence economic growth in the region. Conversely, the education variable, which reflects literacy levels, shows a negative and significant relationship with economic growth. This outcome may stem from the relatively low literacy rates in Africa compared to other regions globally. The study concludes that policymakers should prioritize initiatives to enhance ICT infrastructure penetration. Moreover, measures should be put in place to address the barriers impeding the achievement of basic literacy goals in the region.