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Digital Trade Barriers: Assessing Infrastructure Deficiencies, Security Risks, and Regulatory Challenges in West Africa’s Emerging E-Commerce Markets (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea)

Author

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  • Mohamed Koroma

    (Lecturer, School of Technology, Computer Science & I.T Department, Njala University, Sierra Leone, West Africa.)

  • Kadiatu Fofanah

    (MSC Student, Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Department of Economics and Finance, China.)

  • Mazatu Doris Tejan

    (Marketing Manager, AMIMKK PURE water & Engineering Services, Lumley branch, Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa.)

  • Alimamy Saidu Konteh

    (Lecturer, Milton Margai Technical University, Electrical & Electronics Department Sierra Leone, West Africa.)

  • Fatmata Koroma

    (MBA Scholars, Freetown Polytechnic College, Finance department, Kissy Campus.)

Abstract

West Africa's e-commerce sector is expanding rapidly due to growing internet access, mobile adoption, and AfCFTA, yet remains constrained by infrastructure gaps, cybersecurity threats, and regulatory fragmentation. This pioneering mixed-methods study compares these barriers across six nations (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea), integrating World Bank/ITU datasets with regulator interviews (n=12) and SME surveys (n=150). The analysis reveals severe urban-rural ICT disparities (>39 percentage points) limiting SME participation, Nigeria's disproportionate cybercrime burden (58% of regional losses, $500M annually), and costly regulatory misalignment (15-30% of revenues). These findings empirically validate van Dijk's (2020) digital divide theory and Williamson's (1981) transaction cost economics in West Africa's digital markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Mohamed Koroma & Kadiatu Fofanah & Mazatu Doris Tejan & Alimamy Saidu Konteh & Fatmata Koroma, 2025. "Digital Trade Barriers: Assessing Infrastructure Deficiencies, Security Risks, and Regulatory Challenges in West Africa’s Emerging E-Commerce Markets (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Liberia, Sierra Leone,," International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science, International Journal of Latest Technology in Engineering, Management & Applied Science (IJLTEMAS), vol. 14(6), pages 478-499, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bjb:journl:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:478-499
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