This study examines the link between information and communication technology (ICT) and sustainable development goals (SDGs), exploring how corruption control moderates this nexus. The authors use data from 45 African countries over the period 2015 to 2020 and apply the fixed effects estimation technique. The results reveal that ICT has a significant negative impact on SDGs. However, corruption control positively moderates the impact of ICT on sustainable development, suggesting that corruption control acts as a catalyst, transforming the overall impact of ICT from potentially negative to positive in the context of sustainable development. The findings refute the technological determinism presumption and lend credence to the institutional theory. Policy-wise, the results emphasize the importance of implementing robust corruption control measures alongside technology adoption initiatives to harness the positive potential of ICT for sustainable development in African countries.
TopIntroduction
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa represent a collective commitment to address multifaceted challenges and foster comprehensive development across the continent (Begashaw, 2019). As Africa grapples with diverse environmental and socio-economic issues, the SDGs serve as a crucial roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth (Akanle et al., 2022). Embracing a holistic approach, these objectives seek to end poverty, guarantee food security, advance gender equality and foster resilient infrastructure, among others. Africa's pursuit of the SDGs reflects a recognition of interconnected global challenges, emphasizing the need for collaborative solutions. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and local communities are actively engaged in aligning policies and initiatives with the SDGs, acknowledging that the integration of economic, social, and environmental factors is important for sustainable development. (United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 2023).
According to the Africa Sustainable Development Report (2022), there is a critical need for Africa to enhance its domestic resource mobilization while simultaneously harnessing the potential of information and communication technology (ICT) to expedite the realization of the SDGs and Agenda 2063. This transformative technological wave brings with it the promise of not only economic growth but also the fostering of innovation and significant advancements in crucial sectors such as education, healthcare, and governance (Adeola & Evans, 2018; Addo & Agyepong, 2020; Modi, 2023).
As the digital age unfolds across the continent, the potential to bridge development gaps, improve the livelihoods of its inhabitants, and create more equitable societies has become ever more tangible. However, the real impact of ICT on the path to sustainable development in Africa hinges on several key factors, one of the most pivotal being the quality of the institutions in place. Institutional quality is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the effectiveness, transparency, and integrity of governance structures, legal frameworks, and public services (Sheng et al., 2023). It is the linchpin that either amplifies or diminishes the transformative potential of ICT.
Within the multifaceted realm of institutional quality indicators, this study places a particular emphasis on the examination of how corruption control serves as a moderating force in the context of ICT's impact on sustainable development. This focus is substantiated by the recognition that corruption represents a critical dimension that significantly influences the trajectory of development within African nations (Yakubu, 2019). It inflicts insidious damage to the economic, social, and political fabric of societies, hindering the effective allocation of resources, depleting public trust, and distorting the intended outcomes of development efforts (Zucman, 2015; Transparency International, 2019). It is within this complex milieu that the study finds its compelling rationale to explore how corruption interacts with the promising potential of ICT.