![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
This study employs the new panel data structural gravity approach to investigate the overarching effect of ICT on bilateral trade flows and economic growth, by using a panel of 65 Belt and Road initiative (BRI) countries. This comprises of twenty-seven (27) sub-Saharan African countries from the period 2000 to 2019. The empirical results indicate that greater access to ICT deepens bilateral export and growth among participating countries. Essentially, the results demonstrate a positive correlation between ICT growth and economic development in the BRI countries. Overall, the findings reveal that ICT and infrastructural growth have provided the East African Community (EAC) a lot of opportunities to boost intra-regional trade. However, the BRI countries need to invest more heavily in ICT infrastructure to foster a continuous and sustainable economic development paradigm within the enclave.
Acknowledgments
We are very grateful to the editors Prof. Sajda Qureshi, Prof. Francis Kofi Andoh-Baidoo, and all reviewers. We also thank Dr. Jean-Paul Ainam for his support.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Koffi Dumor
Koffi Dumor is a Research Fellow at School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. He holds a Ph.D. in Management Science and Engineering with background qualifications in both Econometrics and Economics. My research interests encompass both theoretical and applied economics and are mostly Biodiversity and Energy Economics, Digital Economy, and Sustainable Development oriented. He is a reviewer to several international journals.
Zhao Shurong
Prof. Zhao Shurong is a Professor, Director at Centre for West African Studies of UESTC, School of Public Affairs and Administration, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). She has published many papers in academic journals.
Hafez Komla Dumor
Hafez Komla Dumor is a lecturer in the School of Economics and Management (FASEG), Université de Lomé (Togo). His current research is on blockchain technology, fintech, entrepreneurial finance, and small business development. He has published many papers in academic journals.
Enock Mintah Ampaw
Enock Mintah Ampaw is a senior lecturer, at Applied Mathematics Department, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Koforidua Technical University. His research interests span across fintech, energy economics, Social Networks, Social Applications, and consumer behavior. He has published in top-tier environmental and energy economics journals amongst others.
Edem Koffi Amouzou
Edem Koffi Amouzou is a Ph.D. scholar, at School of Economics and Management, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. His research interest focuses on fintech, econometric modeling, and energy economics. He has published many papers in academic journals.
Samuel Okae-Adjei
Samuel Okae-Adjei is the Head of the Marketing Department, Dean of the School of Business and Management Studies, Koforidua Technical University, Koforidua, Ghana. His current research is focused on entrepreneurship and small business development. He has published many papers in academic journals.
Eric Kofi Boadi
Eric Kofi Boadi is a senior lecturer, at the Faculty of Business and Management Studies, Koforidua Polytechnic, Koforidua, Ghana. His research interests are applied economics and business administration related to economic development, Finance. He has published many papers in academic journals.