This book focuses on the impact of information technology on the lives and livelihoods of rural households in sub-Saharan Africa, where simple mobile phones have leapfrogged traditional communication and financial technologies, and thus, arguably, offer some of the greatest potential for development. Drawing on primary and secondary research from a variety of disciplines, the authors examine the evolution of mobile phone coverage and adoption in sub-Saharan Africa over the past two decades, before exploring the main channels through which mobile phones can affect development. They then review initiatives on “digitizing development” and evaluate empirical evidence on their impact. The book argues that digital has yet to live up to the hype, ending with a set of questions that stakeholders should ask (and answer) when using digital technology for promoting development.

Jenny C. Aker is Professor of Development Economics at the Fletcher School and the Department of Economics at Tufts University, Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development, Senior Researcher at Wageningen University, and co-Chair on “Digital Trust” at the Fondation pour les Etudes et Recherches sur le Développement International (FERDI).

Joël Cariolle is Research Officer at the FERDI (France) and Associate Researcher at the CERDI – University Clermont-Auvergne. He conducts research on digitalization and development, and he contributes to the FERDI “Digital Trust” Chair.