Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Diffusion and Agricultural Sector Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from System GMM Estimation
References
- Abate, G. T., Abay, K. A., Chamberlin, J., Kassim, Y., Spielman, D. J., & Paul Jr Tabe-Ojong, M. (2023). Digital tools and agricultural market transformation in Africa: Why are they not at scale yet, and what will it take to get there? Food Policy, 116, 102439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2023.102439
- Acemoglu, D. & Zilibotti, F. (1999). Productivity differences. NBER Working Paper No. 6879.
- Adenubi, O., Temoso, O., & Abdulaleem, I. (2021). Has mobile phone technology aided the growth of agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa? South African Journal of Economic and Management Sciences, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajems.v24i1.3744
- Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2010). Mobile Phones and Economic Development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207-232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207
- Angrist & Pischke. (2009). Mostly Harmless Econometrics: An Empiricist’s Companion.
- Arellano, M., & Bond, S. (1991). Some Tests of Specification for Panel Data: Monte Carlo Evidence and an Application to Employment Equations. The Review of Economic Studies, 58(2), 277. https://doi.org/10.2307/2297968
- Arellano, M., & Bover, O. (1995). Another look at the instrumental variable estimation of error-components models. Journal of Econometrics, 68(1), 29-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4076(94)01642-D
- Asongu, S. A., & Le Roux, S. (2017). Enhancing ICT for inclusive human development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 118, 44-54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.01.026
- Asongu, S., & Odhiambo, N. M. (2019). Foreign direct investment, information technology and economic growth dynamics in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Becker, T. E., Atinc, G., Breaugh, J. A., Carlson, K. D., Edwards, J. R., & Spector, P. E. (2016). Statistical control in correlational studies: 10 essential recommendations for organizational researchers. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 37(2), 157-167. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2053
- Binswanger-Mkhize, H., & McCalla, A. F. (2010). Chapter 70 The Changing Context and Prospects for Agricultural and Rural Development in Africa. In Handbook of Agricultural Economics (Vol. 4, pp. 3571-3712). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1574-0072(09)04070-5
- Blundell, R., & Bond, S. (1998). Initial conditions and moment restrictions in dynamic panel data models. Journal of Econometrics, 87(1), 115-143. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4076(98)00009-8
- Bond, S. R. (2002). Dynamic panel data models: A guide to micro data methods and practice.
- Bresnahan, T. F., & Trajtenberg, M. (1995). General purpose technologies ‘Engines of growth’? Journal of Econometrics, 65(1), 83-108. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4076(94)01598-T
- Christiaensen, L., Rutledge, Z., & Taylor, J. E. (2021). Viewpoint: The future of work in agri-food. Food Policy, 99, 101963. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101963
- Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang, Alexander Pitt, Seth Ayers. (2009). Contribution of Information and Communication Technologies to Growth.
- Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang, Carlo M. Rossotto, & Kaoru Kimura. (2009). Economic Impacts of Broadband.
- Clarke, G. R. G., & Wallsten, S. J. (2006). Has the Internet Increased Trade? Developed and Developing Country Evidence. Economic Inquiry, 44(3), 465-484. https://doi.org/10.1093/ei/cbj026
- Coase, R. H. (1937). The nature of the firm. Economica, 4(16), 386-405.
- Cole, S. A., & Fernando, A. N. (2021). ‘Mobile’izing Agricultural Advice Technology Adoption Diffusion and Sustainability. The Economic Journal, 131(633), 192-219. https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueaa084
- David, P. A. (1985). Clio and the economics of QWERTY. American Economic Review, 75(2), 332-337.
- de Janvry, A., Emerick, K., Sadoulet, E., & Dar, M. (2016). The Agricultural Technology Adoption Puzzle: What Can We Learn From Field Experiments?
- Deng, X., Peng, J., & Wan, C. (2024). The Impact of Internet Use on Land Productivity: Evidence from China Land Economy Survey. Land, 13(2), 262. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13020262
- Domguia, E. N., & Asongu, S. A. (2025a). ICT and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Effects and transmission channels. Information Development, 02666669251333759. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251333759
- Domguia, E. N., & Asongu, S. A. (2025b). ICT and agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa: Effects and transmission channels. Information Development, 02666669251333759. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669251333759
- Fabregas, R., Kremer, M., & Schilbach, F. (2019). Realizing the potential of digital development: The case of agricultural advice. Science, 366(6471), eaay3038. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aay3038
- FAO. (2022). Digital Agriculture Report: Rural Transformation for Sustainable Development. Rome: FAO.
- Greene, W. H. (2018). Econometric Analysis (8th ed.). Pearson Education.
- Grimes, A., Ren, C., & Stevens, P. (2012). The need for speed: Impacts of internet connectivity on firm productivity. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 37(2), 187-201. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11123-011-0237-z
- Hansen, L. P. (1982). Large Sample Properties of Generalized Method of Moments Estimators. Econometrica, 50(4) (pp. 1029-1054).
- Hayami, Y. & Ruttan, V. W. (1970). Agricultural productivity differences among countries. American Economic Review, 60(5) 895-911.
- Hicks, J. R. (1932). The Theory of Wages. London: Macmillan.
- Hsiao, C. (2014). Analysis of Panel Data (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Hult, G. T. M., Hair, J. F., Proksch, D., Sarstedt, M., Pinkwart, A., & Ringle, C. M. (2018). Addressing Endogeneity in International Marketing Applications of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. Journal of International Marketing, 26(3), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.17.0151
- Jack, W., & Suri, T. (2011). Mobile Money: The Economics of M-PESA (No. w16721; p. w16721). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w16721
- Jeffrey M. Wooldridge. (2010). Econometric Analysis of Cross Section and Panel Data. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/http://213.55.90.4/admin/home/Dmu%20Academic%20Resource/Postgraduate%20Studies/Accounting%20and%20finance/WOOLDRIDGE%20ECONOMETRIC%20ANALYSIS.PDF
- Joseph E. Stiglitz & Andrew Weiss. (1981). Credit Rationing in Markets with Imperfect Information.
- Kouam, J. C., & Asongu, S. (2023a). The non-linear effects of fixed broadband on economic growth in Africa. Journal of Economic Studies, 50(5), 881-895. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-03-2022-0159
- Kouam, J. C., & Asongu, S. (2023b). The non-linear effects of fixed broadband on economic growth in Africa. Journal of Economic Studies, 50(5), 881-895. https://doi.org/10.1108/JES-03-2022-0159
- Li, X., Xiong, H., Hao, J., & Li, G. (2024). Impacts of internet access and use on grain productivity: Evidence from Central China. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11(1), 90. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-02546-5
- LoPiccalo, K. (2022). Impact of broadband penetration on U.S. Farm productivity: A panel approach. Telecommunications Policy, 46(9), 102396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2022.102396
- Lucas, R. E. (1988). On the mechanics of economic development. Journal of Monetary Economics, 22(1), 3-42. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3932(88)90168-7
- Memon, M. A. (2024). Control Variables: A Review and Proposed Guidelines. Journal of Applied Structural Equation Modeling, 8(2), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.47263/JASEM.8(2)01
- Mwikamba, J. N., Otieno, D. J., & Oluoch-Kosura, W. (2024). Effect of using a mobile phone on technical efficiency and productivity of climate-smart horticulture farmers in Taita-Taveta county, Kenya. Heliyon, 10(17), e36917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36917
- Nickell, S. J. (1981). Biases in Dynamic Models with Fixed Effects. Econometrica, 49(6), 1417-1426.
- OECD. (2019). Broadband Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean: A Digital Economy Toolkit. OECD Publishing, Paris.
- Oliver E. Williamson. (1985). The Economic Institutions of Capitalism: Firms, Markets, Relational Contracting.
- Onyeneke, R. U., Ankrah, D. A., Atta-Ankomah, R., Agyarko, F. F., Onyeneke, C. J., & Nejad, J. G. (2023a). Information and Communication Technologies and Agricultural Production: New Evidence from Africa. Applied Sciences, 13(6), 3918. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063918
- Onyeneke, R. U., Ankrah, D. A., Atta-Ankomah, R., Agyarko, F. F., Onyeneke, C. J., & Nejad, J. G. (2023b). Information and Communication Technologies and Agricultural Production: New Evidence from Africa. Applied Sciences, 13(6), 3918. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13063918
- Oyelami, L. O., Sofoluwe, N. A., & Ajeigbe, O. M. (2022a). ICT and agricultural sector performance: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Future Business Journal, 8(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-022-00130-y
- Oyelami, L. O., Sofoluwe, N. A., & Ajeigbe, O. M. (2022b). ICT and agricultural sector performance: Empirical evidence from sub-Saharan Africa. Future Business Journal, 8(1), 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-022-00130-y
- Qu, X., Lu, Q., Li, M., & Zhang, W. (2025a). Broadband Internet Speed Upgrades and the Farmland Market: A Shift‐Share Instrumental Variable Approach. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, ajae.12559. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12559
- Qu, X., Lu, Q., Li, M., & Zhang, W. (2025b). Broadband Internet Speed Upgrades and the Farmland Market: A Shift‐Share Instrumental Variable Approach. American Journal of Agricultural Economics, ajae.12559. https://doi.org/10.1111/ajae.12559
- Quandt, A., Salerno, J. D., Neff, J. C., Baird, T. D., Herrick, J. E., McCabe, J. T., Xu, E., & Hartter, J. (2020). Mobile phone use is associated with higher smallholder agricultural productivity in Tanzania, East Africa. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237337. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237337
- Rajkhowa, P., & Baumüller, H. (2024). Assessing the potential of ICT to increase land and labour productivity in agriculture: Global and regional perspectives. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 75(2), 477-503. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12566
- Richard G.Lipsey, Kenneth I.Carlaw, & Clifford T.Bekar. (2005). Economic Transformations General Purpose Technologies and Long-Term Economic Growth.
- Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous Technological Change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5, Part 2), S71-S102. https://doi.org/10.1086/261725
- Roodman, D. (2009). A Note on the Theme of Too Many Instruments*. Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, 71(1), 135-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0084.2008.00542.x
- Sanders, C. E., Gibson, K. E., & Lamm, A. J. (2022). Rural Broadband and Precision Agriculture: A Frame Analysis of United States Federal Policy Outreach under the Biden Administration. Sustainability, 14(1), 460. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010460
- Schumpeter, J. A. (1942). Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy. Harper & Brothers.
- Suroso, A. I., Fahmi, I., & Tandra, H. (2022). The Role of Internet on Agricultural Sector Performance in Global World. Sustainability, 14(19), 12266. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141912266
- Toubia, O., Hauser, J. R., & Simester, D. I. (2004). Polyhedral Methods for Adaptive Choice-Based Conjoint Analysis. Journal of Marketing Research, 41(1), 116-131. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmkr.41.1.116.25082
- World Bank. (2023a). The Size and Distribution of Digital Connectivity Gaps in Sub-Saharan Africa. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/099241003142325200/pdf/IDU0cb2e42f3050260484d0b8370b84eee303ecf.pdf
- World Bank. (2023b). World Development Indicators 2023. Washington, DC: World Bank. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators
- Zaefarian, G., Kadile, V., Henneberg, S. C., & Leischnig, A. (2017). Endogeneity bias in marketing research: Problem, causes and remedies. Industrial Marketing Management, 65, 39-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2017.05.006
- Zant, W. (2024). Mobile phones and Mozambique farmers: Less asymmetric information and more trader competition? World Development, 180, 106574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106574
Language: English
Page range: 290 - 316
Submitted on: Nov 1, 2025
Accepted on: Jan 1, 2026
Published on: Jul 31, 2026
Published by: John Paul II University in Biała Podlaska
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Keywords:
Related subjects:
© 2026 Wondimeneh Desalegn Moges, published by John Paul II University in Biała Podlaska
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.