Foreigners thriving in “odd” jobs whereas Cameroonians search alternatives overseas

By Daniel D.

Amid a rising exodus of Cameroonians in search of alternatives overseas, foreigners inside the nation are turning seemingly “odd” jobs into profitable ventures.

Greater than 6,000 Cameroonians reportedly left the nation inside three months final yr, prompting President Paul Biya to enchantment to them to rethink their choice.

Whereas residents search greener pastures overseas, foreigners, significantly from Niger, Mali, and Senegal, are carving out profitable livelihoods from unconventional jobs.

Within the neighborhood of Ndongo in Buea, the rhythmic “Kok Kok” sounds reverberate every morning, signaling the presence of Ibrahim Mohamed, a 19-year-old from Niger.

He makes this sound, which advertises his companies, by hitting a small, empty plywood field.

Three years in the past, Mohamed accomplished main faculty in his Agadess village within the Tahoua Area of Niger.

However there was no cash for him to proceed education after that, prompting him to hunt options.

Additionally unable to discover a job in Niger, he made contacts along with his fellow countrymen in Cameroon, and that was how he ended up in Buea, South West Area, the place he now mends footwear to outlive.

He strikes from door to door and sews dangerous footwear from which he makes a residing.
 
“That is the one job I’ve. By doing this, I will help myself and my household,” he informed MMI as he toured homes in Buea. 

Regardless of the modest nature of his job, Mohamed manages to ship roughly FCFA 100,000 each month to assist his household in Niger.

In contrast to Mohamed who makes a residing by trekking each day to fix footwear, Guissa Moussa, a 23-year-old Malian, has arrange a shoe restore workshop at Bonduma, Buea.

After being displaced from Ekona by the Anglophone Disaster in 2016, Moussa discovered solace in Buea. He earns round FCFA 7,000 each day from repairing footwear; on day he earns greater than that quantity.

Moussa goes to his native Bamako in Mali from time to time to communicate along with his spouse, who not too long ago had a child.

“With this, I’ve to pay home lease and different payments and eat from there,” he informed MMI at his workshop. 

With their new child in hand, he has elevated the quantity he sends house.

“I do ship them about FCFA 40,000 to 50,000 each month,” he added.

AMID SOCIETAL STEREOTYPES

These overseas people interact in jobs thought-about menial by many Cameroonians, similar to shoe restore, promoting rappers (loin cloths), or working cafeterias. The labels “Kok Kok” or “Malam” are generally used to check with these in these professions, usually dealing with disdain from the native inhabitants.

Regardless of societal stereotypes, foreigners, particularly from Senegal, Niger, and Mali, embrace these roles as official and worthwhile endeavors.

Many haven’t any formal coaching of their chosen fields however handle to thrive of their adopted communities.

MMI spoke to a Senegalese at Checkpoint, Buea, who strikes round Cameroon and sells wrappers— loin cloths. He mentioned the enterprise is best.

“4 months in the past, I used to be in Bafousam, and now I’m in Buea, promoting rappers. The enterprise is best as a result of I earn from it,” he mentioned refusing to reveal his identify.

In the meantime, the President of the Nigeriens in Buea, Ibrahim Djibrila, mentioned lots of his countrymen are in Buea. 

“They clear nails, repair footwear, patch clothes, and promote in cafes,” he informed MMI.

He has been in Cameroon for greater than 10 years, and he plans to return and set up himself in Niger, the place he has constructed a home from promoting a provision retailer.

To him, any official enterprise giving cash is price doing, regardless of what individuals say.

The monetary affect of those foreigners engaged in unconventional jobs is clear in remittance information.

In 2021, Nigeriens residing in Cameroon despatched remittances of over FCFA 9 billion again house, dwarfing the FCFA 145 million obtained by Cameroon from Niger.

Equally, Senegalese despatched over FCFA 5 billion, and Malians despatched over FCFA 3 billion to their respective nations.

This phenomenon stands in stark distinction to the growing variety of Cameroonians pursuing alternatives overseas, evidenced by a 70% surge in functions for U.S. DV Lotteries in 2023.

Over the interval from 2010 to 2015, roughly 381,984 individuals left Cameroon in quest of higher prospects.

These individuals leaving are blaming unemployment, poor working situations, and insecurity, amongst others.

Nonetheless, as they depart, foreigners quite discover Cameroon profitable to make cash.

©Mimi Mefo Information

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