Factors affecting the adoption of mobile-based digital technologies : evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract

Mobile phones and associated services possess substantial potential to improve household livelihoods. However, there is inadequate access to and use of mobile-based technologies, despite their potential to improve livelihoods in the Hadiya zone, Ethiopia. This study aims to analyse the main factors influencing the adoption of mobile-based technology. The analysis employed an ordered logit model on cross-sectional data collected from 278 respondents. The findings indicate that factors such as gender, education, affordability, access to remittances, social networks, awareness, geographical location, trade access, and type of mobile phone have positively and significantly influenced the likelihood of adopting mobile-based digital technology, except age. The implications suggest that mobile-based technology adoption remains under-utilised for essential activities, with adoption particularly lower among women and rural populations. Targeted interventions, including infrastructure improvements, digital connectivity enhancement, awareness campaigns, skill training, income-raising initiatives, and gender-sensitive digital policies, are essential to promote adoption.