What does the digital revolution mean for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth in Africa? A case study of Ghana and South Africa

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Date

2024

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Publisher

University of the Western Cape

Abstract

Background: The world is undergoing a disruptive change driven by fast pace of technological advancements that are combining our physical, digital, and biological spheres. Emerging technologies such in artificial intelligence (AI), big data, drones, Internet of Things (IoT), 3D printing, and robotics are set to transform the very nature of future jobs, skills set and business process. Around the world, many governments, business owners and entrepreneurs are taking proactive measures to harness the potentials of this new revolution while putting pragmatic strategies in place to ameliorate its negative impact. Meanwhile in Sub-Saharan Africa, preparations to leverage the opportunities of today’s frontier technologies remains poor. In particular, there seems to be limited evidence on how African countries such as Ghana and South Africa can best maximise the potentials of an increasingly digitalised world economy and ensure that the digital transformation becomes inclusive. Against this backdrop, this study purported to use a comparative analysis approach to examine the readiness and capacity of Ghana and South Africa to embrace the digital economy and ensures inclusive digital transformation.

Description

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD

Keywords

Digital revolution, Poverty, Inclusive growth, Ghana, South Africa

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