Determinants of Computer and Internet Adoption and Use in Cameroon

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to make explicit the factors that determine the adoption and use of the computer and internet in Cameroon using a household survey carried out in the year 2008. The paper distinguishes five groups of determinants within different modes of diffusion and estimates their impact with the help of econometric tests. Level of education and age, among other socioeconomic factors on the one hand, and life style, perceived utility and perceived difficulty among other psycho sociological factors on the other, seem to play a particularly important role in the adoption and use of the computer and the Internet in Cameroon. It is argued that, the state should encourage the opening of media centres and promote the training of youths and social networks.

Keywords: ICT, determinants, Development, Internet, Africa.