| Abstract: |
The study assesses the role of mobile phones and mobile banking in decreasing
inequality in 52 African countries. The empirical procedure involves first,
examining the income-redistributive effect of mobile phone penetration and
then investigating the contribution of mobile banking services in this
relationship. The findings suggest an equalizing income-redistributive effect
of ‘mobile phone penetration’ and ‘mobile banking’, with a higher
income-equalizing effect from mobile banking compared to mobile phone
penetration. Poverty alleviation channels explaining this difference in
inequality mitigating propensity are discussed. |