Internet Adoption and Use in Cameroon
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Date
2017-04-05
Authors
Bakehe, Novice P.
Fambeu, Ariel H.
Piaptie, George B. Tamokwe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Economic Research consortium
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the changes in the determinants of Internet adoption
and use in Cameroon. The study used two individual surveys carried out in 2008 and
2015. Using discrete choice models and a comparative analysis, the study was able to
highlight three major results. Firstly, following the emergence of equipment that was
more compatible with third-generation (3G) mobile technology (smartphones and tablets),
possessing a “traditional” mobile telephone, which could enable Internet adoption in
2008, was no longer relevant in 2015. Other factors, such as being unemployed or
possessing a laptop, which were not significant in 2008, had an impact on Internet
use in 2015. Secondly, most of the socio-economic and social network factors which
influenced Internet adoption and use in 2008 were still relevant in 2015. The key factors
were the respondent’s education level, his/her age, and the number of Internet users in
his/her social environment. Finally, the study found that the coefficients associated with
the marginal effects of most of these invariant factors increased over time both in the
Internet adoption and Internet use models. This means that as the Internet penetration
rate increased and the means used to have Internet access became more diverse, the
first-level and second-level digital divides tended to worsen.
These results are likely to help the government develop and implement more effective
digital policies aimed at promoting mass Internet use in Cameroon. One will think first
and foremost of policies aimed at training and informing the people who do not have
Internet access. However, it could also be policies that target those who already use the
Internet but are “isolated”, and who do not have access to information and expert advice
in their vicinity, and, who, as a consequence, use the Internet in a sub-optimal way and
are likely to be disappointed.
Description
Keywords
Internet adoption , , Internet use , , ICT, , digital divide