We examine the direct effect of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on inequality and investigate whether the ICT and inequality relationships can be reinforced by governance indicators of democracy, regulatory quality, rule of law and political stability. Using the panel dataset of 46 African countries over the period 1984–2018 and dynamic two-step system generalized method of moment estimator, we found that ICT measures of internet, fixed broadband and mobile cellular subscription directly reduce inequality, and good governance indicators can reinforce the ICT and inequality links. We execute a threshold analysis that illustrates the crucial role of democracy, regulatory quality, rule of law and political stability in facilitating the ICT and inequality relationships in Africa.

我们研究了信息和通信技术 (ICT) 对不平等的直接影响，并调查了民主、监管质量、法治和政治稳定等治理指标是否可以加强 ICT 与不平等的关系。使用 1984-2018 年期间 46 个非洲国家的面板数据集和动态两步系统广义矩估计方法，我们发现互联网、固定宽带和移动蜂窝订阅的 ICT 措施直接减少了不平等，善治指标可以加强ICT 和不平等之间的联系。我们执行阈值分析，说明民主、监管质量、法治和政治稳定在促进非洲 ICT 和不平等关系方面的关键作用。