ICTs and development in developing countries: A systematic review of reviews

Abstract This systematic review of reviews aimed to explore the contribution of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for development in developing countries. This systematic review of reviews determines and summarizes ICTD research trends, and methodologies and conceptual frameworks used in ICTD research discuss the findings and evidence and then suggest approaches for further research. We reviewed existing systematic reviews published on ICT and development between January 1990 and July 2017. The review of reviews shows that a growing number of ICTD research works have used qualitative research approaches for data collection and analysis. We note several attempts to develop and apply models/frameworks over explanatory and predictive theories, most notably in the area of social, sociotechnical, and technical. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence on the long‐term contribution of ICT use on livelihoods, patterns of economic inequality, human freedom, and well‐being in developing countries. This review of reviews synthesizes existing systematic reviews on the contribution of ICT for development than was previously available for developing countries. This review has the potential for several stakeholders, including the public and private sector, intermediaries, and nonprofit organizations, to utilize the accumulated evidence from selected systematic reviews to enable/improve the appropriate and sustainable use of ICTs for development.