Basic Formal Education Quality, Information Technology and Inclusive Human Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study assesses the relevance of basic formal education in information technology for inclusive human development in 49 countries in sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2000-2012. The question it aims to answer is the following: what is the relevance of basic formal education in the effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development in sub-Saharan Africa when initial levels of inclusive human development are taken into account? The empirical evidence is based on instrumental quantile regressions. Poor primary education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone penetration on inclusive human development. This main finding should be understood in the perspective that, the education quality indicator represents a policy syndrome because of the way it is computed, notably: the ratio of pupils to teachers. Hence, an increasing ratio indicates decreasing quality of education. It follows that decreasing quality of education dampens the positive effect of mobile phone on inclusive development. This tendency is consistent throughout the conditional distribution of inclusive human development. Policy implications for sustainable development are discussed

Introduction to contemporary issues in development finance

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines issues in development finance by focusing on how financial systems and innovations in financial resource flow can drive the economic growth and development process. It provides an up-to-date review of the role of microfinance in the process of development. The book then discusses the role of international private capital flows in promoting economic growth and explains the difference between various types of private capital flows, such as foreign direct investments and foreign portfolio investment. It also discusses the system of global economic and financial governance – the so-called global financial architecture – that facilitates the flow of external capital. The book explores the evolution and changing role of sovereign wealth management and asset-liability management in emerging economies. It then examines how financing agriculture can promote inclusive development and reduce poverty and inequality