The mobile phone in governance for environmental sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose In this study, we assess how the mobile phone can be leveraged upon to improve the role of governance in environmental sustainability in 44 Sub-Saharan African countries. Design/methodology/approach The Generalised Method of Moments is used to establish policy thresholds. A threshold is a critical mass or level of mobile phone penetration at which the net effect of governance on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions changes from positive to negative. Findings Mobile phone penetration thresholds associated with negative conditional effects are: 36 (per 100 people) for political stability/no violence; 130 (per 100 people) for regulation quality; 146.66 (per 100 people) for government effectiveness; 65 (per 100 people) for corruption-control and 130 (per 100 people) for the rule of law. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed. Originality/value The study provides thresholds of mobile phone penetration that are critical in complementing governance dynamics to reduce CO 2 emissions.