{
  "title": "Digital Connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Perspective",
  "publication": "IMF Working Papers, September 27, 2019",
  "sourceUrl": "https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2019/09/27/digital-connectivity-in-sub-saharan-africa-a-comparative-perspective-48692",
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  "summary": "Higher digital connectivity is expected to bring opportunities to leapfrog development in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Experience within the region demonstrates that if there is an adequate digital infrastructure and a supportive business environment, new forms of business spring up and create jobs for",
  "sections": [
    {
      "heading": "Overview and objectives",
      "content": "- Authors: Emre Alper, Michal Miktus\n- Publication date: September 27, 2019\n- Publication type: IMF Working Paper No. 2019/210, Pages: 44, Volume: 2019, Issue: 210\n- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513514604.001\n- ISBN: 9781513514604\n- ISSN: 1018-5941\n- Objective: Assess digital connectivity patterns globally and within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), construct a composite digital connectivity index, and identify correlates of higher digital connectivity."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Methodology",
      "content": "- Unsupervised machine learning: K-means clustering to confirm the global digital divide.\n- Composite index construction: A digital connectivity index derived in the spirit of De Muro-Mazziotta-Pareto covering about 190 economies.\n- Econometric approach: Fractional logit regressions to document associations between digital connectivity and institutional/economic factors."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Key findings",
      "content": "- Global digital divide:\n  - Confirmed via the K-means clustering algorithm.\n- Digital connectivity index coverage:\n  - Constructed for about 190 economies.\n- Sub-Saharan Africa performance:\n  - Majority of SSA countries lag in digital connectivity.\n  - Specific shortfalls identified in: infrastructure, internet usage, and knowledge.\n- Econometric associations (fractional logit regressions):\n  - Higher digital connectivity is associated with:\n    - Better business enabling and regulatory environment.\n    - Financial access.\n    - Urbanization."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Policy-relevant implications",
      "content": "- Improving digital infrastructure and fostering a supportive business environment can enable new forms of business and job creation for both educated and less educated workers in SSA.\n- Policies to enhance business-enabling conditions, expand financial access, and manage urbanization may raise digital connectivity."
    },
    {
      "heading": "Subjects and keywords (as provided)",
      "content": "- Subjects: Income, Information technology in revenue administration, Infrastructure, Machine learning, National accounts, Population and demographics, Revenue administration, Technology\n- Keywords: account ownership, Africa, connectivity index, digital connectivity, Digitalization, EDAI SSA distribution, fractional logit model, Global, ICT indicators database, Income, Information technology in revenue administration, Infrastructure, Machine learning, SSA countries lag, SSA economy, Sub-Saharan Africa, unsupervised machine learning, WP\n\nSource: IMF Working Paper \"Digital Connectivity in sub-Saharan Africa: A Comparative Perspective\" by Emre Alper and Michal Miktus, September 27, 2019 (Working Paper No. 2019/210).\n\n---\n\n Content in this bundle\n\n- Working Paper\n  - Working Paper (Markdown version){rel=\"alternate\" type=\"text/markdown\"}\n  - Working Paper (PDF){rel=\"external\" type=\"application/pdf\"}\n\n---\n\nSource: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/wp/issues/2019/09/27/digital-connectivity-in-sub-saharan-africa-a-comparative-perspective-48692"
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    "Authors: Emre Alper, Michal Miktus",
    "Published: September 27, 2019",
    "Series: IMF Working Papers",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513514604.001",
    "Authors: Emre Alper, Michal Miktus",
    "Publication date: September 27, 2019",
    "Publication type: IMF Working Paper No. 2019/210, Pages: 44, Volume: 2019, Issue: 210",
    "DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9781513514604.001",
    "ISBN: 9781513514604",
    "ISSN: 1018-5941",
    "Objective: Assess digital connectivity patterns globally and within sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), construct a composite digital connectivity index, and identify correlates of higher digital connectivity.",
    "Unsupervised machine learning: K-means clustering to confirm the global digital divide.",
    "Composite index construction: A digital connectivity index derived in the spirit of De Muro-Mazziotta-Pareto covering about 190 economies.",
    "Econometric approach: Fractional logit regressions to document associations between digital connectivity and institutional/economic factors.",
    "Global digital divide:",
    "Digital connectivity index coverage:",
    "Sub-Saharan Africa performance:",
    "Econometric associations (fractional logit regressions):",
    "Improving digital infrastructure and fostering a supportive business environment can enable new forms of business and job creation for both educated and less educated workers in SSA.",
    "Policies to enhance business-enabling conditions, expand financial access, and manage urbanization may raise digital connectivity.",
    "Subjects: Income, Information technology in revenue administration, Infrastructure, Machine learning, National accounts, Population and demographics, Revenue administration, Technology",
    "Keywords: account ownership, Africa, connectivity index, digital connectivity, Digitalization, EDAI SSA distribution, fractional logit model, Global, ICT indicators database, Income, Information technology in revenue administration, Infrastructure, Machine learning, SSA countries lag, SSA economy, Sub-Saharan Africa, unsupervised machine learning, WP",
    "**Working Paper**"
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