Title: Utilisation of information and communication technology among informal traders in the local economies in Nigeria

Authors: Ijeoma Pauline Ogbonne; Ambrose Nnaemeka Omeje; J. Tochukwu Omenma

Addresses: Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Economics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria ' Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Johannesburg, South Africa; Institute of African Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

Abstract: Information and communication technology (ICT) is changing the face of business among the operators of formal and informal sectors. One school of thought argues that the informal economy is being dragged into the ICT-driven market system by multinational cooperation; while on the other hand, it is the convenience that has lured informal operators to the new market system. Using descriptive statistics method, we investigated the degree of utilisation of ICT by informal traders. We found that the frequency of ICT use among informal traders is high, while there is a significant influence of mobile phones, online banking services and waybill use on the reduction of cost of business transactions on the part informal traders. Although, ICT infrastructure has enhanced local economies, the poor quality of networks and limited coverage networks to a few rural communities are constraining factors in Nigeria.

Keywords: information and communication technology; ICT; informal trade; entrepreneurship; local economy; Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESB.2021.119228

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2021 Vol.44 No.3, pp.211 - 234

Received: 24 Nov 2018
Accepted: 06 Mar 2019
Published online: 30 Nov 2021 *

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