The effect of e-government development indices (EGDI) on corruption perception index in sub-Sahara Africa: A panel data analysis

Abstract

The study aims to examine the impact of e-government development indices on the corruption perception index (CPI) using cross-sectional data covering the period 2012–2020. To achieve the objective of the study, the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), which comprises the Online Service Index (OSI), the Human Capital Index (HCI) and the Telecommunication Infrastructure Index (TII) was utilized. The study adopted the panel data statistical methodology to accomplish the goal of the study. According to the findings, perceptions of corruption rise with an increase in the OSI, the TII has a statistically non-negative significant relationship with perceptions of corruption, and the HCI decreases perceptions of corruption. This portends that e-government positively impacts online services, improved telecommunication infrastructure, and the development of human capital in sub-Saharan Africa, and as well has a positive impact on how people perceive corruption. Moreso, an increase in human capacity by providing adequate training, conferences, workshops, and other activities will result in a decrease in the corruption index across the 48 sub-Saharan Africa countries. Based on the findings, the study suggests that improved internet service can stimulate improved efficiency in the perception of corruption, resulting in a more efficient and effective elimination of corruption in African nations.

Keywords:

• e-governance
• corruption
• electronic government development index (EGDI)
• Africa, sub-Saharan
• panel data

Acknowledgments

The authors appreciate the effort of everyone that contributed to this study, as well as the anonymous reviewers and editors for their constructive input in this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.