Mobile Connectivity: A Vector for Rural Transformations in the WAEMU?
October 15, 2024
FERDI and Be-Ys, the international group which is pioneering secure and controlled digital transactions, share the conviction that digital trust is a real opportunity for Africa to reposition itself in the global economic hierarchy.
FERDI and Be-Ys have joined forces to study, analyze, understand, and formulate recommendations to promote the digital transformation of African economies.
In Africa, digital growth prospects, as well as the need for investment and appropriate reforms, are important.
By contributing to the emergence and diffusion of innovations in trade, agriculture, financial services, or transport and contributing to the modernization of public administrations (including tax administrations) the digitization of the economy is revolutionizing economic exchanges and stimulating growth, employment, and poverty reduction.
It is now generally accepted that the digital revolution could be more a revolution for developing countries, especially African countries, than for of industrialized countries.
However, the issue is not only technological.
Digital Trust - built on four pillars - network integrity and quality of service, privacy and data protection, protection of childhood, and prevention of piracy and theft - is an essential factor in the development of digital technology.
↪ Measure the impacts of the deployment of submarine cables and the impact of digital distribution.
↪ Measure the impact of digitalization on African economies.
↪ Formulate recommendations aimed at promoting the digital transformation of African economies.
↪ On 29 and 30 November 2023, an international conference on digital trust was held at ENSEA in Abidjan. The conference, inaugurated by Nialé Kaba, Côte d'Ivoire's Minister for the Economy, Planning, and Development, provided a platform to present and discuss the findings of the book "Mobile Phones and Development in Africa: Does the Evidence Meet the Hype?" Discussions highlighted the potential of mobile telephony, the importance of digitizing SMEs, the state's utilization of digital technology for resource management, and the internet's role in democracy. A detailed report is accessible on the FERDI website.
↪ The Chair is currently supporting a pilot project aimed at enhancing the financial inclusion of farming households in Niger through mobile payments. Led by Jenny Aker, the project is scheduled to unveil its initial findings in summer 2024.
↪ Studies are underway to assess the impact of digital connectivity on agricultural markets, household welfare, and farm productivity in the WAEMU region.
La chaire numérique est co-dirigée par Jenny C. Aker, Professeur à l’université de Tufts et Fatoumata Ba, fondatrice du fonds d’investissement Janngo.
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