Professor Jenny Aker is an Economics Professor from Cornell University. Her lecture "The Mobile Phone Revolution in Africa" was delivered in the Swift Theatre in the Arts Building.
Professor Aker presented evidence to suggest that digital technology has had varying levels of effects on the continent of Africa and its economic growth. Drawing on her own experience in Niger, Professor Aker argued that digital has potential but isn't the silver bullet. It has proven to improve efficiency of public services, especially in financial services and education but other results depend upon the context.
Outside of Cornell, she is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development and the co-Chair of the Digital Identification and Finance Initiative at J-PAL Africa, which is based at the University of Cape Town.
Professor Aker brings expertise in economic development in Africa, with a primary focus on the impact of information, and information technology on development outcomes. Her research contributes to the role of development economics in agricultural markets, adult education and financial inclusion: the determinants and impacts of agricultural technology adoption; and the impact of different mechanisms and modalities of social protection.
TIME Director, Professor Michael King, moderated the event.
