The impact of technological progress and digitization on Ghana’s economy

Research Article

The impact of technological progress and digitization on Ghana’s economy

DOI: 10.1080/20421338.2021.1994239
Author(s): Alex Boakye Institute for Social Development, South Africa , Nnenna Nwabufo East Africa Regional Development and Business Delivery Office, African Development Bank, Kenya , Mulugeta Dinbabo Institute for Social Development (ISD), South Africa

Abstract

This study analyzed the impact of technological progress and digitization on Ghana’s economy using panel data for the period 2009–2019. Technological progress and economic growth inter-dependency was analyzed in two steps. First, the relation was tested using Augmented Dickey–Fuller method. Second, we estimated the long-run relation between the variables by using Engel Granger and Error Correction models. The results indicate that adopting technology or digitizing the economy has the potential to drive sustainable growth and development. In particular, it was noted that ICT investments drive high productivity rates and faster economic growth. In sum, technological progress and digitization have the potential to foster significant growth and therefore must be given high credence in the planning and designing of development programmes. This paper contributes to development theories on the role that ICT plays in economic growth and development.

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