Mobile Internet Adoption in West Africa

Mobile broadband internet is the main technology through which individuals access in developing countries. Understanding barriers to adoption thus a priority designing policies aiming expand and close digital divide across socioeconomic groups territories. This paper exploits data from harmonized household expenditure surveys seven countries West Africa 2018/19 — subregion with one of lowest levels mobile penetration world identify factors that limit adoption. Results show low consumption prices services are two key constraints. One standard deviation increase expenditure, about US$65 per capita month, associated 6.5 percentage point rise probability adoption, while drop price services, US$3.60, increases by 2.4 points. Other determinants include demographic characteristics (sex, age, language, urban location), features (educational attainment, sector employment), other linked policy (access electricity, ownership assets, alternative means access). robust specifications focusing only areas coverage (3G).