Agric. Econ. - Czech, 2026, 72(4):238-252 | DOI: 10.17221/470/2024-AGRICECON

Impact of digital economy on agricultural land use in sub-Saharan African countriesOriginal Paper

Zhaohui Qin1, Manana Gaddis Elia1, Mihasina Harinaivo Andrianarimanana2, Tiavina Andriamahenina Nasolomampionona1, Tarir Duok Gai Dhornor1, Winnie Kudzai Mazheti1
1 College of Economics and Management, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, P.R. China
2 Management Science and Engineering Post-Doctoral Research Station, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, P.R. China

This study investigates the effects of digital economy (DE) on agricultural land use (ALU) in seven sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, specifically from 2006 to 2022. Using a moderating mediation model on panel data, the work explores the extent to which the DE, as proxied by fixed telephone subscriptions, internet usage, and mobile penetration, influences the degree and intensity of ALU. The results indicate that ALU is often supported by DE, as technology will lay the groundwork for improved land management and agriculture. Results show that DE has a positive influence on ALU, with a more substantial effect being observed in countries such as Kenya and South Africa, where more developed digital infrastructure and governance are in place. In contrast, Uganda and Zambia exhibit lower impacts due to lower levels of digitalisation and governance barriers. The patent applications (PAs) and water management represent the positive mediators of the efficiency of land-use improvement. The study highlights the need for government-enabling policies and digital infrastructure so that the promise of digital technologies and their uptake for agricultural production in SSA is fully fulfilled. Whenever technology is integrated with an appropriate resource management policy, SSA societies have the potential to achieve sustainable agricultural development and food security.

Keywords: government effectiveness; digitalisation; patent applications; sustainable agricultural; panel-data analysis

Received: December 6, 2024; Revised: November 29, 2025; Accepted: December 2, 2025; Prepublished online: April 24, 2026; Published: April 29, 2026  Show citation

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Qin Z, Gaddis Elia M, Andrianarimanana MH, Andriamahenina Nasolomampionona T, Duok Gai Dhornor T, Mazheti WK. Impact of digital economy on agricultural land use in sub-Saharan African countries. Agricultural Economics. 2026;72(4):238-252. doi: 10.17221/470/2024-AGRICECON.
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