Effect of Information Communication Technology on the performance of women’s entrepreneurial activities in the Northwest and Southwest of Cameroon

By Meh Desmond Kum (Download Pdf)

Introduction

The performance of women’s entrepreneurial activities in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon faces significant challenges, with barriers rooted in limited access to resources, restricted market reach, and efficiency constraints. These barriers are further exacerbated by the pervasive digital gender divide in developing countries, where women are systematically less likely to own ICT tools like mobile phones, which restricts their ability to leverage technology for business growth (International Telecommunication Union [ITU], 2021). This performance gap in women-owned businesses compared to male-owned enterprises remains a persistent issue, affecting women’s productivity, competitiveness, and broader economic empowerment.

Entrepreneurial performance among women in these regions is not only influenced by socio-economic and cultural constraints but also by technological limitations that hinder effective engagement in competitive markets. Access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is thus proposed as a strategic approach to improve the operational efficiency, productivity, and market reach of women’s businesses. ICT provides a platform for accessing new markets, enhancing communication with customers, and facilitating collaboration, which is critical to improving business outcomes in today’s digital economy.

The rising global digital transformation has created new opportunities for industries to optimize processes and build innovative business models. For women entrepreneurs in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon, improving access to affordable internet services, mobile technology, and digital literacy training could bridge the gender gap in entrepreneurial performance. However, with a digital gender divide still present, where women in developing countries are 14% less likely to own a mobile phone than men, addressing this technological disparity is essential (Accord, 2023). Understanding the impact of ICT on women’s entrepreneurial performance in these regions provides insight into how digital tools could facilitate gender equality and economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Cameroon.

However, barriers such as limited digital skills, financial constraints, and societal norms continue to challenge the widespread use of ICT among women entrepreneurs. Despite these advancements, many women still lack awareness of ICT’s benefits, and the infrastructure to support its usage remains underdeveloped in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Addressing these challenges through digital literacy programs, affordable access to technology, and supportive networks will help unlock the potential of ICT to enhance the performance of women’s entrepreneurial activities in Cameroon, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions. The study of ICT’s effect on women’s entrepreneurship is vital for guiding policy interventions, developing targeted training programs, and promoting initiatives that support women’s economic empowerment. Understanding the impact of ICT on women’s entrepreneurial performance in these regions provides insight into how digital tools could facilitate gender equality and economic empowerment for women entrepreneurs in Cameroon.

The Northwest and South West Regions of Cameroon, characterized by their lush forests and rolling hills, has a rich entrepreneurial spirit, with many women venturing into various business activities. According to studies by the World Bank (WB Group, 2020) and government data, published on Business in Cameroon in June 2024, women lead 23% of manufacturing SMEs, despite comprising 51% of the population. Overall, they initiate 38% of businesses in Cameroon, with a significant presence in micro-enterprises (39%) and less representation in larger enterprises (14%). According to the 2017 Cameroon Census, the Northwest and Southwest region has a significant number of women-owned businesses, with 55.6% of women entrepreneurs operating in the informal sector (National Institute of Statistics, 2017).

This study aims to investigate the effect of ICT on the performance of women’s entrepreneurial activities in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon. Specifically, this study will examine how ICT has affected the profile of women business owners, the specific ICT tools and technologies being used by women entrepreneurs and the benefits and challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in using ICT for their businesses.

Justification for Examining Women’s Entrepreneurial Performance in the Northwest and Southwest Regions of Cameroon

The entrepreneurial performance of women in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions remains hindered by systemic challenges that limit their productivity, market reach, and operational efficiency. Women entrepreneurs in these regions face unique barriers—including restricted access to financing, limited market access, and a lack of managerial support—that continue to constrain their performance (World Bank, 2023). Additionally, socio-cultural norms and economic constraints further exacerbate these challenges, making it difficult for women to sustain or scale their businesses (Nkamleu & Kiiru, 2018).

Evaluating entrepreneurial performance among women in these regions is essential because these entrepreneurs significantly contribute to local economic development and job creation. Studies show that improved performance among female-owned businesses can enhance economic growth, reduce poverty, and create employment, especially in rural areas where women’s businesses are concentrated (International Labour Organization, 2021). Given the importance of this sector, understanding and addressing the factors that influence women’s entrepreneurial performance is crucial for achieving equitable and sustainable development in Cameroon.

While numerous factors impact the performance of women-owned businesses, the adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) emerges as a potential enabler for enhanced performance. ICT tools can improve business processes by reducing operational costs, enhancing customer outreach, and increasing efficiency (Liang et al., 2013). For instance, digital communication channels such as social media and email help entrepreneurs reach broader audiences and access new markets, directly impacting revenue growth and customer acquisition rates (Essomba & Mbang, 2019).

However, only 23.4% of women entrepreneurs in the Northwest and Southwest regions currently have access to ICT infrastructure (Fru & Fonkeng, 2018). This limited access restricts the ability of many women entrepreneurs to leverage digital platforms for performance improvement. The lack of ICT integration also places these businesses at a competitive disadvantage, especially when competing against more digitally-enabled enterprises.

By revisiting this topic, the focus can remain on identifying strategies to improve entrepreneurial performance, with ICT recognized as a viable tool to address specific operational inefficiencies and performance gaps. The integration of ICT solutions, like online marketplaces and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, could streamline operations and allow women entrepreneurs to manage customer relations more effectively. These ICT advancements ultimately contribute to improved productivity, competitiveness, and growth potential (Katz & Krueger, 2016).

Key ICT Tools and Technologies Used by Women Entrepreneurs

Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) have become essential tools for enhancing the performance of women entrepreneurs in Cameroon. Women utilize a variety of ICTs to reach a wider audience, automate tasks and improve productivity. For communication, email and instant messaging platforms like Gmail and WhatsApp are commonly used, while social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram enhance marketing efforts, (Kuo et al., 2014). Regarding data management, cloud storage services like Google Drive and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, such as Salesforce, provide essential tools for managing client interactions and optimizing business processes. Productivity tools, including word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation software like Microsoft Office, along with project management platforms such as Asana, streamline planning and task management. Additionally, automated marketing tools like Mailchimp for email campaigns and Canva for graphic design support efficient marketing efforts, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.

E-commerce platforms, including Jumia and online payment systems like Mobile Money and Orange Money facilitate online transactions helping women expand their market reach, (Essomba & Mbang, 2019). In Cameroon, studies show that 70% of businesses utilizing ICT report increased sales, with 65.7% of women entrepreneurs experiencing improved business performance due to ICT adoption, (Noubissie et al., 2015 and Fru & Fonkeng, 2018).

Benefits of ICTs on Business Performance of Women Entrepreneurs

The use of (ICTs) provides numerous advantages for women entrepreneurs such as increased sales and revenue by granting access to new markets and enhancing online marketing efforts. Women entrepreneurs benefit from reduced operational costs through automation and streamlined processes enabled by tools like accounting software and project management platforms.

(Liang et al., 2013). Improved efficiency and productivity are key advantages of ICTs, which offer tools that enable more effective business management. Enhanced customer service is another benefit, as digital platforms like email and social media facilitate quicker and more efficient responses to customer inquiries (Kumar et al., 2022). Furthermore, ICTs provide access to valuable information and resources, empowering women entrepreneurs to learn new strategies and connect with experts and peers through social media platforms (Smith et al., 2021). Recent studies indicate that businesses utilizing ICTs report better performance, with increased productivity and reduced costs, reflecting the positive impact of digital transformation on operational efficiency (Johnson & Lee, 2023). Challenges Faced by Women Entrepreneurs Using ICT for their Businesses in Cameroon

One key issue women entrepreneurs face is limited access to technology due to poverty and inadequate infrastructure, which affect 76% of women in rural areas, (Fru & Fonkeng, 2018). Cultural and social barriers also restrict the use of ICT; as traditional norms discourage women from engaging with technology. (UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning 2021)

  Additionally, the high cost of ICT, including devices and internet connectivity, poses a financial burden, (Katz & Krueger, 2016). Lack of digital literacy is another significant barrier, with women having insufficient skills needed to effectively use ICT for their businesses, largely due to inadequate education and training opportunities, (Essomba & Mbang, 2019). Addressing these issues is crucial to enable women entrepreneurs to fully leverage ICT for business growth and performance enhancement.

Recommendations

Implementing Comprehensive Digital Literacy Programs for Women Entrepreneurs

To enhance the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Cameroon, particularly in the Northwest and Southwest regions, a key recommendation is to implement comprehensive digital literacy programs tailored specifically to the needs of women entrepreneurs. These programs should be designed to address the challenges of limited digital skills, which impede the effective utilization of (ICT) tools for business growth. According to Fru and Fonkeng (2018), only 23.4% of women entrepreneurs in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions have access to ICT infrastructure, largely due to digital illiteracy and financial constraints. Many women lack the knowledge and skills to use essential ICT tools, which impacts their business productivity, efficiency, and ability to compete in the marketplace. The transformative potential of ICT in areas such as e-commerce, digital marketing, and online financial platforms, are vital for modern business success. Equipping women with the necessary skills to navigate and leverage digital technologies, will significantly boost their entrepreneurial performance and economic empowerment.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Digital Literacy and Supportive Mentorship Networks

Implementing comprehensive digital literacy and training programs is essential for empowering women entrepreneurs to effectively harness ICT. These programs should focus on practical skills crucial for business operations, including digital marketing, e-commerce, and data management, with collaborations between local NGOs and educational institutions to enhance their delivery. By improving digital skills, women can leverage ICT tools to boost productivity, expand market reach, and increase income, thereby fostering a more inclusive business environment that supports women’s entrepreneurship (Fru & Fonkeng, 2018; Essomba & Mbang, 2019). Furthermore, establishing supportive networks and mentorship programs specifically for women can provide vital resources and guidance as they navigate the digital landscape. These networks should facilitate knowledge sharing, market access, and collaboration opportunities, creating a community of support among women in business. Mentorship from experienced female entrepreneurs offers invaluable insights into effectively utilizing ICT, encouraging peer-to-peer support and helping women overcome societal and cultural barriers, ultimately contributing to their resilience and success in entrepreneurship (Nkamleu & Kiiru, 2018; International Labour Organization, 2021). By integrating digital literacy initiatives with strong support networks, we can significantly enhance the capabilities and confidence of women entrepreneurs in the Northwest and Southwest regions of Cameroon.