Transforming Cameroon into Knowledge-Based Economy (KBE): The Role of Education, Especially Higher Education

This paper examines whether Cameroon as a nation is transforming or transitioning toward knowledge-based economy (KBE) through the lens of knowledge economic index (KEI) and knowledge index (KI) (1995-2020) developed by the World Bank. The role played by education, particularly higher education. Transforming Cameroon toward KBE is very important for the development of Cameroon as a nation. Knowledge is a prerequisite for any nation economic development. The method used KEI rankings and KI (1995-2020), developed by The World Bank, and the literature review on the role played by higher education (HE). The result in all the instruments used to measure Cameroon move toward KBE decline. She is not progressing in all the four pillars of KEI neither in Global Competitive Index nor the literature review in this paper. The government of Cameroon and its policymakers should learn from the try and tested example of Korea road toward KBE, should make peace with its citizens, and have courage of innovative spirit, good leadership in making drastic reforms in all areas in the country notably legal area, economic, social, cultural, environmental, regulatory areas, and above all promote the creation and the diffusion of knowledge for all its citizens and beyond.