Work

Bypassing Bribes: Mobile Money and Corruption in Africa

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Drawing on a sample of up to 100 000 individuals across 31 African countries, we use repeated cross‐sectional surveys and multilevel regression models to examine how national mobile money activity correlates with individual bribe payments over time. In a novel contribution, our findings reveal a robust association between higher mobile money activity at the national level and reduced bribe payments for nonmonopoly public services at the individual level. We argue that the growing prevalence of mobile money likely enhances transparency and increases the costs of engaging in corruption. Additionally, by enabling direct and digital payment of service fees, mobile money may allow users to bypass intermediaries and government officials who might otherwise solicit bribes.

Source: Journal of International Development

DOI: 10.1002/jid.70016

Authors: Ashley Blair Simpson, Zack Zimbalist

Institutions: Vienna University of Economics and Business, University of the Witwatersrand, Southern Centre For Inequality Studies

Language: English

Topic: Corruption and Economic Development

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,350