Use of ICT: What effect on youth access to employment in Cameroon?

Abstract

This study aims to explore the impact of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) on job acquisition for young people aged 15 to 35 in Cameroon. The research uses data from the fourth Cameroon Household Survey (CHS-4) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) in 2014. The study compares the results with those of senior employees to highlight the digital divide. The results suggest that internet use increases the probability of finding a job, regardless of age group, between 15 and 31 % for young people, between 0.31 and 1.214 % for senior citizens, and between 15 and 38 % for all workers. Young Internet users are 15 times more likely to find a job compared to senior employees. The results are consistent after specificity/sensitivity tests. The study contributes to the understanding of the digital divide and its impact on job acquisition.