Drivers of Digital Connectivity in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Access to Electricity

Abstract

Despite a relatively low access to electricity, Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced a rapid diffusion of mobile telephony. However, little is yet known about whether mobile internet access will spread at a similar pace. In this paper, we use a logistic model and country-level panel data from 36 Sub-Saharan African countries from 2000 to 2016 to investigate the impact of access to electricity on access to and usage of mobile internet. We find a positive and significant impact of access to electricity on internet access. However, we find no significant impact of access to electricity on access to mobile telephony or internet usage. Beyond access to electricity, income is the key determinant of access to mobile telephony, while literacy appears to be a key determinant of internet access. Both income and literacy have significant impact on internet usage.