Digital Commerce and MSMEs Output in Sub-Saharan Africa

In this paper, we assessed the impact of digital commerce on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in sub-Saharan Africa using evidence from Nigeria. In a descriptive research design, we adopted both descriptive and inferential statistics to answer the three research questions and test the corresponding hypotheses. Primary data gleaned from a sample of 400 respondents selected across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria using multiple sampling techniques was used for the study. Results from logit model regression show that digital commerce has made significant impacts on performance, growth and expansion, as well as cost-effectiveness and profitability of MSMEs in Nigeria. While the study noted that, though litany of challenges still confronts digital commerce in sub-Saharan Africa, we still concluded that any increase in awareness and adoption of digital commercial activities by one unit has an odd ratio of about 10.1, hence, MSMEs output will be 10 times likely improve by the unit increase. To this, we recommended that both government and other relevant stakeholders must partner to ensure that enabling digital environments are created for sustainable digital commerce. This partnership must function well in removing all bottlenecks especially as it concerns infrastructural development, regulations and improved financial inclusion.