Disappearance of cybercafés : The effects of technological change

In recent years, we can see the gradual disappearance of cybercafés. A situation that seems to be explained by technological development with the high availability of smart phones and laptops.

Today, finding an internet café in an urban setting is still very easy. Formerly, these establishments where you could go to surf the internet were extremely successful. Very busy for research, they were also frequented by those who wanted to communicate or those who went there for seizures. You could find all kinds of people there. But recently, rare are those who go to these places for any work.

"A few years ago, the cyber was crowded with people but today almost no one except a few who come for their work. Smartphones and laptops are now available to everyone ”, suggested Adonis, manager of an internet café in Cotonou. Godwin, a former cybercafé user also recognizes that the availability of smart phones and other computer accessories has favored the gradual disappearance of cybercafés. " Today, the evolution of technology has meant that everyone has at their disposal a computer equipment and a connection for this work. Which means that there are no more crowds in these establishments "he explained..

Meet in an internet cafe, Naguib advises that he is only present at these locations if he needs a smoother internet connection for this work.. "For some jobs the domestic connection does not work as it should and even, it comes back to us very expensive and therefore in an exceptional way I come to cyber. Cyber ​​despite the evolution of the technology we are talking about, always has something more. And that's without a doubt what drives the few rare people to go there ", let the thirty-something know.

According to the confidences of Géneviève, a manager of a cybercafé, among those who continue to attend these establishments are largely "students who often go there for group work", suggests Géneviève, a manager of a cybercafé.

Firmin KASSAGA