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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Diffusion and Agricultural Sector Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from System GMM Estimation
1
development economics, Ethiopian Civil service university, Ethiopia
Submission date: 2025-11-04
Final revision date: 2025-12-12
Acceptance date: 2025-12-18
Online publication date: 2026-07-17
Publication date: 2026-07-17
Corresponding author
wondimeneh Desalegn Mogess
development economics, Ethiopian Civil service university, Addis Ababa, 90386, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
development economics, Ethiopian Civil service university, Addis Ababa, 90386, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Economic and Regional Studies 2026;19(2):290-316
KEYWORDS
Sub-Saharan AfricaDigital TransformationSystem GMMInformation and Communication TechnologyAgricultural Value Added
JEL CLASSIFICATION CODES
O33
Q16
C33
O47
O55
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Subject and purpose of work: The study examines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) diffusion influences agricultural value-added in 37 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2012 to 2022. It aims to identify which ICT components—internet use, broadband, mobile, and fixed telephone subscriptions—most effectively drive agricultural transformation and productivity. Materials and methods: Using a two-step System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM) estimator, the study addresses endogeneity, persistence, and unobserved heterogeneity in dynamic panel data. The model includes key ICT indicators and control variables such as gross fixed capital formation and natural resource rents, supported by diagnostic tests for validity and robustness. Results: Findings show that internet use and fixed telephony positively influence agricultural value-added, while broadband and mobile subscriptions show negative effects, reflecting infrastructure and saturation challenges Conclusions: ICT diffusion fosters agricultural transformation in SSA, contingent on digital literacy, infrastructure, and institutional readiness
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