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This study examines the relationship between digital globalization and educational access in Africa. It uses publicly available secondary data from the World Development Indicators (WDI) ICT database and UNESCO education statistics. While digital transformation is widely promoted as a catalyst for inclusive human capital development, cross-country heterogeneity in Africa raises questions about whether digital expansion uniformly enhances educational access. Employing panel quantile regression for a balanced panel of African countries over the period 2005–2023, the paper investigates how ICT penetration, trade openness, and digital infrastructure affect educational participation across different points of the distribution of access indicators. The findings indicate that digital globalization exerts heterogeneous effects: countries at lower quantiles of educational access benefit more strongly from increases in internet penetration and mobile connectivity, whereas upper-quantile countries exhibit diminishing marginal returns. Institutional quality and governance metrics serve to moderate these observed relationships. The findings contribute to the existing body of research concerning the digital divide, globalization, and educational inequality, specifically by illustrating that digital transformation mitigates disparities, particularly in contexts where fundamental access limitations persist. Consequently, the policy implications emphasize the need for infrastructure expansion, regulatory adjustments, and targeted digital inclusion initiatives, all of which should be congruent with the African Union Digital Education Strategy.

This study examines the effects of poverty and crime in Sub-Saharan Africa in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) context. Specifically, it seeks to explore how technological advancements influence the dynamics between poverty and crime in the region. We employed a qualitative research approach, utilising data from comprehensive academic literature reviews, policy documents, and relevant statistics. Additionally, we gathered insights from 20 participants chosen to represent diverse perspectives, including policymakers, academics, community leaders, technology experts, and individuals from impoverished communities. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, the study provided a holistic view of the nuanced impacts of the 4IR on poverty and crime. The main findings of the study demonstrate that (i) the 4IR offers considerable opportunities for poverty alleviation through job creation and economic empowerment, (ii) there are significant risks, such as digital exclusion and the emergence of new, technology-driven forms of crime, and finally, (iii) structural factors, including governance and access to education influence the effects of 4IR. The study recommends targeted policies to harness the benefits of the 4IR, focusing on strengthening education, promoting inclusive governance, and fostering social inclusion to mitigate adverse consequences.