Impact of Information and Communication Technologies Penetration on Human Development: Evidence from Economic Community of West African States

Yilmaz Bayar; Oğuzhan  Yelkesen; Amadou Bailo  Barry; Marius Dan Gavriletea

doi:10.5755/j01.ee.35.4.30888

Authors

Yilmaz Bayar Department of Public Finance, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6776-6524
Oğuzhan Yelkesen Department of Public Finance, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey
Amadou Bailo Barry Institute of Social Sciences, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey
Marius Dan Gavriletea Business Department, Faculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9974-256X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.ee.35.4.30888

Keywords:

Human development, ICT, ICT penetration, bootstrap cointegration test, bootstrap causality test

Abstract

Human development is a significant component of economic growth and development. Therefore, determinants of human development are crucial to designing and implementing the optimal policies to boost economic growth and development. This study investigates the impact of ICT penetration on human development in the Economic Community of West African States for the period of 2000-2018 through bootstrap cointegration and causality tests. The causality analysis disclosed a unilateral causality from internet usage to human development in Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal, and Sierra Leone and a one-way causality from mobile cellular subscriptions to human development in Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Niger, and Togo, but there existed a significant causality from human development to mobile cellular subscriptions in Benin, Cabo Verde, Gambia, and Ghana. On the other side, the cointegration analysis revealed a positive effect of internet usage and mobile cellular subscriptions on human development in the long run.

Author Biographies

Yilmaz Bayar, Department of Public Finance, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey

Yilmaz Bayar is a professor at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey. He has a Ph.D. in Economics since 2012 and his main research interests are related to Macroeconomics, Development Economics, Financial Economics, Energy Economics, and Environmental Economics.

Oğuzhan Yelkesen, Department of Public Finance, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey

Oguzhan Yelkesen is a research assistant at the Department of Public Finance, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University. He has a bachelor’s degree (Public Finance) from the Ankara Yildirim Beyazit University and a Master’s degree (Public Finance) from the same university. He has a Ph.D. from Hacettepe University and is interested in public economics, fiscal policy, and sovereign debt.

Amadou Bailo Barry, Institute of Social Sciences, Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University, Turkey

Amadou Bailo Barry is a graduate student in the Public Finance Master Programme at the Institute of Social Sciences of Bandirma Onyedi Eylul University. He has a bachelor’s degree in Economics & Finance from the University General Lansana Conte Sonfonia-Conakry from Guinea.

Marius Dan Gavriletea, Business Department, Faculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, Romania

Marius Dan Gavriletea is a professor with a degree of habilitated doctor who teaches courses in finance and insurance. He was Project Manager for 3 National Research Grants and participated in over 35 international conferences. He is a member of the editorial board of several international scientific journals.