Energy poverty and digital technology usage in rural Ghana

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationship between electricity access and digital technology usage in rural Ghana. It explores how gender and geographic location mediate the association between energy access and the likelihood of using mobile phones and computers. Design/methodology/approach Using data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey Round 7, we estimate probit regression models to examine how electricity access and other socioeconomic variables correlate with digital technology usage. The analysis is disaggregated by gender and location (rural vs. urban) to reveal intersectional patterns. Findings Results indicate a strong positive association between electricity access and digital technology usage, with the effect more pronounced in rural settings. However, this relationship varies by gender and location, revealing compounded digital disadvantages among rural women. Research limitations/implications The cross-sectional nature of the data limits causal inference. Future research should incorporate longitudinal and qualitative data to explore how digital adoption evolves over time and across different household dynamics. Practical implications The findings support the Information and Communication Technology for Development framework, showing that electricity access is necessary but insufficient for inclusive digital adoption. Policy efforts must therefore combine infrastructure provision with gender-responsive digital literacy initiatives and affordability interventions to promote equitable technology use. Originality/value This study contributes novel insights into the intersection of energy poverty, gender and digital inequality in rural Ghana. It offers disaggregated empirical evidence that can inform more targeted and equitable digital and energy access policies in Sub-Saharan Africa.