Cyber cafe industry in Africa

摘要

The paper provides an overview of the origin of cyber cafe culture and the growth of this industry in Africa. Current status of the cyber cafe sector is assessed by analysing the Internet infrastructure and penetration, patterns of use of cyber cafes, impact of cyber cafes and the Internet in Africa. The challenges facing the African continent in putting in place infrastructure for Internet growth are assessed. Finally, the paper examines the prospects for the growth of the Internet infrastructure and what governments in Africa should do to take advantage of the current prevailing international development agencies' support as well as the support of the international community. The paper ends with an exposition of the way forward.