A Critical Analysis of Cloud Computing Adoption in Selected West African Countries

As in every other region of the world, cloud computing has undeniable advantages for the ICT industry. The development of information technology solutions, like cloud computing, has an impact on a variety of industries, including education, healthcare, banking, manufacturing, and finance, as well as agriculture, government, and communication. It is causing a fundamental shift in the design of computers, software, and tools, as well as, naturally, in how we store, handle, distribute, and use information. It is undeniable that West Africa has faced many obstacles in the development of information technology (IT), from cyber threats to a lack of adequate IT infrastructure. As a result, some West African nations have not yet fully embraced cloud computing. This research shows that about 27% of communication in West Africa is done through cloud computing, 25% in Information Technology, 22% in marketing, 14% in banking and 12% in the Government. Although some countries in western Africa have not yet embraced cloud computing, it has been estimated that the number of countries doing so could propel regional growth and development to a new level. This is because the nations that have embraced cloud computing have a significant influence on the rest of the region.