The Determinants of Access to and Uses of the Internet in Sub-Saharan Africa

Based on survey data from Cameroon, this article shows that the main factors promoting access to Internet in Sub-Saharan Africa are being a young and highly educated male with the ability to read and speak English, a large number of Internet users in one’s social neighbourhood, ownership of a mobile phone, and the ability to use word-processing software or a spreadsheet. It appears that Cameroonians mainly use Internet services related to communication and information retrieval. These uses are primarily limited by old age and are favoured by the acquisition of skills in computer programming. Consequently, in order to increase its potential effectiveness, an ICT development policy should be based on three pillars as a minimum: the classical training system, vocational training in Internet-related occupations, and incentives for competition between domestic ISPs.