Digital Transformation and Inclusive Growth in Developing Economies: Lessons from Burundi and Haiti
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study explores the nexus between digital transformation and inclusive growth in developing economies, with a specific focus on Burundi and Haiti. The research aims to analyze how digital innovation fosters economic inclusion, institutional strengthening, and sustainable development in fragile contexts. Employing a mixed-method approach that integrates secondary data analysis, policy document review, and semi-structured expert interviews, the study investigates the socio-economic implications of digitalization in key sectors, including finance, education, and governance. The findings reveal that digital transformation significantly contributes to inclusive economic growth by promoting access to financial services, supporting entrepreneurship, and enhancing public service delivery. However, these benefits remain unevenly distributed due to challenges such as inadequate ICT infrastructure, governance weaknesses, and low levels of digital literacy. In Burundi, connectivity gaps limit rural participation in the digital economy, while in Haiti, political instability and institutional fragmentation hinder the long-term sustainability of digital initiatives. The study concludes that digital transformation can serve as a catalyst for inclusive development when accompanied by strong institutional frameworks, targeted investments in digital infrastructure, and comprehensive capacity-building programs. This research enriches the academic discourse on digital inclusion in low-income economies and provides actionable insights for policymakers seeking to integrate digital strategies into equitable growth agendas.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Abubakar, A. M., & Bala, K. (2023). Digital transformation and economic growth nexus: The mediating role of institutional quality in developing economies. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 190, 122457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122457
Adeleke, A., & Olayemi, M. (2021). Digital inclusion, financial access, and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa. World Development, 145, 105537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105537
Afutu-Kotey, R. L., Gough, K. V., & Owusu, G. (2020). Young entrepreneurs in the mobile phone repair sector of Ghana: Innovation, digital transformation, and livelihood. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 161, 120282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120282
Agu, C., & Okwuosa, I. (2021). Digital financial inclusion and inclusive growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. African Development Review, 33(2), 259–273. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8268.12523
Alonso, J., & Sánchez, M. (2022). Governance and digital innovation: Implications for inclusive economic growth. Government Information Quarterly, 39(2), 101693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.giq.2022.101693
Bah, M., & Faye, I. (2023). ICT infrastructure and sustainable development in Africa: Evidence from panel data analysis. Telecommunications Policy, 47(5), 102556. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2023.102556
Banerjee, A., & Duflo, E. (2021). Inequality, technology, and the future of development economics. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 35(4), 73–98. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.35.4.73
Banga, K., & te Velde, D. W. (2020). Digitalization and the future of manufacturing in Africa. European Journal of Development Research, 32(1), 20–43. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-019-00229-0
Chigona, W., & Mbatha, B. (2022). Digital governance for inclusive development in Africa: Lessons from e-government initiatives. Information Technology for Development, 28(3), 536–552. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2022.2030894
Gómez, C., & Herrera, D. (2021). Digital literacy, social inclusion, and the digital divide in Latin America. Information Development, 37(4), 532–544. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266666920956303
International Monetary Fund. (2022). Digitalization and development: Policy implications for inclusive growth. IMF Policy Paper. https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/Policy-Papers
Kebede, G., & Tadesse, D. (2023). Digital financial services and women’s empowerment in low-income economies. World Development Perspectives, 30, 100485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wdp.2023.100485
Moyo, T., & Simatele, M. (2021). Mobile money adoption and inclusive economic growth in Africa. Journal of African Business, 22(3), 400–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228916.2020.1820792
Ndiaye, A., & Sow, M. (2022). Building digital resilience in fragile states: Evidence from Burundi and the Sahel region. Development Policy Review, 40(6), e12605. https://doi.org/10.1111/dpr.12605
Nguyen, T. H., & Tran, D. M. (2023). Digital transformation and human capital in developing economies: A path toward inclusive growth. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 189, 122361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122361
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2021). Digital economy outlook 2021. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/0b45a9bb-en
Rodríguez, P., & López, R. (2020). ICT diffusion and inclusive growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. Information Systems Frontiers, 22(5), 1163–1179. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-020-10019-4
Santos, J., & Montero, R. (2024). Policy coherence for inclusive digital transformation in low-income countries. World Development, 177, 106303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2024.106303
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2023). Digital strategy for sustainable and inclusive development: Global report 2023. UNDP Publications. https://www.undp.org/publications
World Bank. (2022). Digital Africa: Technological transformation for inclusive growth. World Bank Group. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/37000