## ICT, Financial Inclusion, and Growth: Evidence from African Countries

_IMF Working Papers, April 1, 2011_

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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Kangni R Kpodar, Mihasonirina Andrianaivo
- Published: April 1, 2011
- Series: IMF Working Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781455227068.001

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### Study scope and methodology
- Sample period: 1988 to 2007.
- Geographic focus: a sample of African countries.
- Primary research question: impact of information and communication technologies (ICT), especially mobile phone rollout, on economic growth; and whether financial inclusion is a channel through which mobile phone development influences economic growth.
- ICT indicators used:
  - mobile telephone penetration rates,
  - fixed telephone penetration rates,
  - the cost of local calls.
- Financial inclusion measures:
  - variables measuring access to financial services, such as the number of deposits or loans per head, compiled by Beck, Demirguc-Kunt, and Martinez Peria (2007) and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP, 2009).
- Econometric approach:
  - System Generalized Method of Moment (GMM) estimator to address endogeneity issues.

### Key findings
- ICT, including mobile phone development, contribute significantly to economic growth in African countries.
- Part of the positive effect of mobile phone penetration on growth operates through greater financial inclusion.
- The development of mobile phones consolidates the impact of financial inclusion on economic growth, especially in countries where mobile financial services take hold.

### Publication metadata and metrics
- Pages: 45
- Volume: 2011
- Issue: 073
- Series: Working Paper No. 2011/073
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781455227068.001
- Stock No: WPIEA2011073
- ISBN: 9781455227068
- ISSN: 1018-5941
- Authors: Kangni R Kpodar, Mihasonirina Andrianaivo
- Publication date: April 1, 2011

*Source: ICT, Financial Inclusion, and Growth: Evidence from African Countries, IMF Working Papers.*

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2016/12/31/ict-financial-inclusion-and-growth-evidence-from-african-countries-24771_