Energy Shortage

Keeping in mind the fact that power is scarcely available on a continuous basis for seven days of the week. And frequent unannounced cuts are carried out all over the country. This happens to be one of the main hindrances for entrepreneurs. several

Social Media (facebook, whatsapp,

search engines etc) 60%

Softwares (For Human Resource(HR), platforms mailing,

etc) 20%

Fintech (mobile money, mobile banking etc)

10%

Other Technologies 10%

Technological preferences of entrepreneurs in Cameroon.

Technology type

Social Media (facebook, whatsapp, search engines etc) Softwares (For Human Resource(HR), platforms mailing, etc) Fintech (mobile money, mobile banking etc)

Other Technologies

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respondents describe the situation of unstable energy supply and energy cuts as frustrating and difficult working conditions, as stated below;

“We have very unstable electricity and shortage of electricity supply in the country. The cuts are not announced. For instance, you can be doing some work, and suddenly there is blackout.

This is annoying and a difficult and stressful to work with” ... Respondent 6

“One of the things that is cumbersome, and is the main hindrance is electricity. We have an unstable supply of electricity in the country. The electricity supply in the country is very unstable” … Respondent 2

“All NTIC equipment work with energy without effective energy it’s difficult to operate them. Constant power failure affects good functioning of equipment” …Respondent 3 Cameroon´s daily newspaper, Cameroon tribune statistics reveal that there is lack of power supply in the country which has reached a peak of 100MW per day for the beginning of the year 2015, which coincides with summertime with high temperatures. And it is often characterised by a low water level in the barrages of Cameroon´s public electricity service concessionaire in Cameroon, Energy of Cameroon (ENEO). However, to combat this deficiency the government has turned to its emergency measures including the resurgence of the Thermal based plant at Ahala close to the capital of the country, Yaoundé. Which has a production scope of 60MW.

This is one of the governments four Emergency Thermal Programs (ETP). Managed by Aggreko, a British company, being the only Thermal program, not been taken over by ENEO. However, due to the lack of trust in the government, citizens do not believe or trust the policies put in place by the government as stated by one of the respondents.

“And, you know, the politicians try to play on the minds of citizens. They want the citizens to be dull, so that they can manipulate them easily. Like you see for instance, they will buy generators and call them thermal plants Cameroon. So, it means there is electricity shortage and to back up this electricity shortage they use generations. And they tell the population we are building thermal plants meanwhile they are using generators” … Respondent 1

Another respondents describes the energy shortage and frequent electricity cuts as a lack in basic social amenities such as the internet, electricity supply and water supply to hinder him from investing or taking on new technologies. An describing the situation as a trade-off. Either invest in new technologies or invest in getting these basic social amenities. As stated below:

“Another pertinent issue is the unstable electricity supply in this country. We have constant unannounced electricity cuts with no explanation from the government. When it comes to basic amenities in this country such as internet, water supply and energy supply. The condition is terrible. How can I invest in innovative technologies when I cannot get the basic amenities for running my business. It is kind of a trade-off to me. It is either I invest in technologies or this social amenities. Hence the government has a pertinent part to play when it comes to

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innovative technologies cause given all this, the electricity cuts, unstable energy supply, with high taxes and corruption. I do not see a way out” … Respondent 3

Further, ENEO reduced the evening consumption rate of its biggest consumer;

Aluminium of Cameroon (ALUCAM), which depletes about half of the country´s energy production. At that time household consumption explodes. The building of several power plants and dams has been some of the alternative measures taken by the government to combat the energy shortage in the country. However, problems lie in the transportation of energy. This is because of the wooden poles used for energy transportation are often affected by bushfires, poor maintenance, and deterioration due to weathering.

Although, these changes have been put in place by ENEO which is the only supplier of energy in the country, there still exist shortages, unannounced cuts foe days which affects the productivity of many entrepreneurs, small or large. And given the limited sources of finance by SMEs, it makes it almost impossible to invest in other sources of electricity.

“Energy shortage is one of the main hindrances to Technological innovation in Cameroon. Not only is there shortage and interruptions from electricity providers, there is also the high cost associated with it supply. Due to the fact, most small business operators who do not have enough resources at their disposal cannot invest in a secondary form or energy supply like for example solar energy. With this effect during the blackouts which for sometimes runs for days, no concreate work can be done, productivity and operations are affected” …Respondent 3 According to Ministry of Economy, Planning and regional Development (MINEPAT) and to the local representatives of International Labour Office (ILO), this energy shortage contributes to hindrances in the development and use of technology of enterprises in the country and a loss by about a point in the GDP of the country. This can be reflected by the responses given by entrepreneurs involved in this study. When asked about the Hindrances they face in using the new technologies available for their different lines of business that can facilitate the development of their enterprises by administering innovative technology.

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