Abstract
Digital transformation could be crucial for reducing gender gaps and promoting sustainable economic progress in West Africa. However, the role of digitalization in female economic participation remains unclear. This research examined the influence of digitalization on female labor market performance in West African countries, focusing on total female and female youth unemployment. Data from 1995 to 2022 included measures such as internet penetration rate, mobile telephone subscriptions, and fixed telephone subscriptions. The Im-Pesaran-Shin (IPS) stationarity test indicated that the model was suitable for panel ARDL estimation. The Hausman test confirmed that the Pool Mean Group (PMG) estimator was most appropriate for establishing cointegration. Results showed that female unemployment is a long-term phenomenon. Specifically, (i) fixed telephone subscriptions reduce female unemployment, (ii) internet penetration decreases female youth unemployment but increases total female unemployment, and (iii) mobile phone subscriptions increase female unemployment. To improve female labor market outcomes, policymakers should implement digital literacy programs, ensure affordable access to technology, and promote gender equality. While fixed telephone subscriptions help reduce unemployment, mobile subscriptions tend to worsen it, and internet penetration has mixed effects, necessitating targeted strategies for sustainable economic progress.