Cameroon has been tipped by the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa (CSEA) as a country with the potential to serve as a digital hub for Central Africa.
The Abuja-based CSEA is an independent non-profit research outfit founded by the Nigerian-American economist Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former managing director of operations at the World Bank.
Cameroon, with relatively advanced digital infrastructure compared to regional peers, is the favourite tech hub host, according to CSEA.
In its latest Data Governance Snapshot, the independent think tank notes that the ICT sector makes about 5% contribution to the country’s GDP, and there is room for further growth considering the economy’s expanding digital infrastructure.
CSEA’s Digital Preparedness Index, which measures countries’ readiness for digital transformation, places Cameroon in the 26th position in Africa but ahead of its regional peers except for Gabon.
“This underscores the need to develop essential infrastructure, skills, and regulations for full participation in the digital economy,” CSEA analysts note.
According to the report, Cameroon’s digital economy is showing strong growth, with mobile phone adoption rising sharply – the penetration rate increasing from around 78.7 per cent in 2022 to approximately 86 per cent in 2023.
“This significant growth over a short period reflects the rising importance of mobile connectivity for Cameroonians across urban and rural areas. However, political instability and unrest in some regions impact infrastructure development and business operations,” according to CSEA.
