ICT Infrastructural Evolution and Economic Nexus in Ethiopia

This Data Descriptor focuses on the evolution of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure in Ethiopia between and . Data was sourced from official government reports and international databases. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative analysis with statistical modelling was employed. ICT investment in Ethiopia grew by 15% annually over the period, significantly impacting employment rates (up to 20%) and service sector productivity (7-8%). The ICT infrastructure's expansion has been pivotal for economic diversification and growth, with a notable effect on labour markets. Investment in digital literacy programmes should be prioritised alongside infrastructure development to maximise benefits. Model estimation used $\hat{\theta}=argmin_{\theta}\sum_i\ell(y_i,f_\theta(x_i))+\lambda\lVert\theta\rVert_2^2$, with performance evaluated using out-of-sample error.