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Understanding the greater diffusion of mobile money innovations in Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Simplice A. Asongu

    (Yaounde, Cameroon)

  • Nicholas Biekpe

    (Cape Town, South Africa)

  • Danny Cassimon

    (University of Antwerp, Belgium)

Abstract
The present research extends Lashitew, van Tulder and Liasse (2019, RP) in order to understand the greater diffusion of mobile money innovations in Africa. To make this assessment, a comparative analysis is engaged between sampled African countries and the corresponding sampled developing countries. Three main types of predictor groups are used for the study, namely: demand, supply and macro-level factors. The empirical evidence is based on Tobit regressions. The tested hypothesis is confirmed because from a comparative analysis between African-specific estimates and those of the sampled countries, not all factors driving mobile money innovations in Africa are apparent in the findings of Lashitew et al. (2019). An extended analysis is also performed to take on board the concern of multicollinearity from which, the best estimators from the study are derived. Comparative findings from correlation analysis show that an African specificity is largely traceable to the ‘unique mobile subscription rate’ variable. An in-depth empirical analysis further confirms an African specificity in the outcome variables (especially in the mobile used to send/receive money) which, may be traceable to informal sector variables not documented in Lashitew et al. (2019). Scholarly and policy implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Simplice A. Asongu & Nicholas Biekpe & Danny Cassimon, 2020. "Understanding the greater diffusion of mobile money innovations in Africa," Working Papers 20/032, European Xtramile Centre of African Studies (EXCAS).
    • Handle: RePEc:exs:wpaper:20/032
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Mobile money; technology diffusion; financial inclusion; inclusive innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • D31 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - Personal Income and Wealth Distribution
    • D60 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - General
    • O30 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - General

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