EncyclopediaEconomics & Work

Economics & Work

147 entries.

Economics & Work

Beyond the Ten Careers: A Taxonomy of Work in Contemporary Africa

PoiseSocial · 4 June 2026 · Social Evolution

The post maps five economic sectors—primary (extraction), secondary (manufacturing), tertiary (services), quaternary (knowledge), and quinar

Economics & Work

Professional Colonization: Why Africa's Industrial Future Depends on Education

PoiseSocial · 22 May 2026 · Social Evolution

The post argues that African ownership of mega-projects like the Dangote refinery means little if foreign expertise operates them. While a

Economics & Work

The Wrapper and the Ledger: Money, Accountability, and Wealth in Cameroon's Informal Economy

Gi Yo Ndzi · 20 March 2026 · Social Evolution

The writer traces the evolution of personal finance from the informal savings practices of previous generations—epitomized by money kept in

Economics & Work

Capital Can't Buy Vision: Why Investors Must Back, Not Replace, Entrepreneurs

Divine Verkijika · 24 February 2026 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that investors in the music industry frequently mistake financial contribution for operational competence, wrongly displac

Economics & Work

When Creator Reach Becomes Infrastructure: The Khaby Lame Deal and the Financialization of Attention

PoiseSocial · 27 January 2026

A TikTok star's company sale for $900 million has been widely misread as a cash windfall, but the real story is structural: the deal is equi

Economics & Work

The Moment We Missed: Cameroon's Tourism Paradox in the Age of Viral Attention

Gi Yo Ndzi · 19 January 2026 · Social Evolution

Reflecting on the IShowSpeed continental tour across Africa in late 2025, this essay examines why Cameroon—despite nearly 930 registered tou

Economics & Work

A Job Search Strategy for the Average Cameroonian

Tino Foy · 2 January 2026 · Social Evolution

The post argues that in Cameroon, where most vacancies remain unposted and hiring flows through networks, effective job seeking demands stra

Economics & Work

The Influencer Tax: Why Most Businesses Should Build Their Own

PoiseSocial · 23 December 2025 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that influencer marketing functions as a largely unavoidable cost for businesses entering new markets or channels, but for

Economics & Work

Innovation Without Direction: Why Cameroon's Tech Hubs Miss the Mark

Tino Foy · 22 December 2025 · Social Evolution

Cameroon's innovation hubs generate abundant ideas but lack strategic coherence, often recycling global tech trends rather than solving loca

Economics & Work

Have Our Billionaires Betrayed Us? Seven Years Later

Tino Foy · 21 December 2025 · Social Evolution

Reflecting on a 2018 question about billionaire silence in Cameroon, Poise examines whether wealthy elites have a duty to share the knowledg

Economics & Work

Why Diaspora Capital Succeeds Quietly or Fails Loudly

Tino Foy · 20 December 2025 · Social Evolution

The writer examines why Cameroonian diaspora investment initiatives—once buoyed by optimism about African entrepreneurship and technological

Economics & Work

Nine Pillars of Cameroon's Economic Transformation: A Government Development Strategy

Tino Foy · 19 December 2024 · Political Culture

This piece outlines Cameroon's nine-sector development strategy for structural economic transformation, detailing government priorities and

Economics & Work

The Case for Social Capitalism: Markets with Guardrails

Tino Foy · 18 December 2024 · Political Culture

The writer argues that unfettered capitalism, particularly as practiced in Cameroon, widens inequality and entrenches privilege, and makes t

Economics & Work

From Amateur to Professional: Building Systems for Growth

Tino Foy · 18 December 2024 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that the transition from amateur to professional habits is essential for small business growth in Cameroon, yet remains hi

Economics & Work

The Price of Invisible Work: On Valuing Creative Services in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 18 December 2024 · Social Evolution

A reflection on the persistent difficulty of pricing creative and content work in Cameroon, where efficiency is often punished and the bound

Economics & Work

The Palm Oil Paradox: How Cameroon Lost the Crop It Invented

Wandji Wilfred · 11 May 2024 · Social Evolution

Cameroon once led the world in oil palm cultivation, with advanced hybrid varieties and the pollinator weevil that Southeast Asia would late

Economics & Work

Rolling Applications and the Real Barriers to Women's Entrepreneurship

Tino Foy · 30 April 2024 · Social Evolution

Poise examines the extended deadline for the Tony Elumelu Foundation's female entrepreneurship program as a symptom of deeper structural fri

Economics & Work

The Afrobeats Boom and the Problem of Branding: Why Market Share Alone Won't Save African Music

Tino Foy · 14 February 2024 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the global rise of Afrobeats and its uneven impact across Africa, arguing that Nigeria's dominance stems not from protec

Economics & Work

The Tragedy of Côte d'Ivoire's Cashews: Production Without Prosperity

PoiseSocial · 29 January 2024

Côte d'Ivoire produces nearly twice as many cashews as Vietnam but captures a fraction of the export value, because Vietnam dominates proces

Economics & Work

The Structure and Logic of Record Labels in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 4 January 2024 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the distinction between major and independent record labels, explaining how multinational majors like UMG, Sony, and War

Economics & Work

When Good Intentions Backfire: MTN's Data Campaign and the Cost of Hastily Executed Policy

Tino Foy · 28 November 2023 · Social Evolution

The writer examines MTN Cameroon's customer compensation campaign—offering free data and credit to address network service failures—and show

Economics & Work

The Geography of Ambition: Why Artists Should Build at Home

Tino Foy · 17 August 2023 · Social Evolution

The writer examines how the calculus of artistic migration has inverted in Cameroon over the past generation. Where legendary musicians once

Economics & Work

The Artist as Creative Agency: Diversification and Survival in Cameroon's Music Economy

Tino Foy · 5 August 2023 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that musicians in Cameroon face systemic economic precarity that demands a fundamental shift in how they approach their ca

Economics & Work

The Entrepreneurial Arc: From Idealism to Pragmatism in Cameroon's Tech Ecosystem

Tino Foy · 6 July 2023 · Social Evolution

A Cameroon-based writer reflects on a decade of entrepreneurial ambition and experimentation—from 2014's optimistic startup culture through

Economics & Work

The 40,000 FCFA Salary: Value, Growth, and Mutual Obligation

PoiseSocial · 30 May 2023 · Social Evolution

A meditation on low-wage employment in Cameroon that resists easy blame, examining the tension between business sustainability and worker di

Economics & Work

Before You Pay for Digital Marketing Workshops

Tino Foy · 21 May 2023

The writer argues that digital marketing certificates from short-term workshops offer false credentiality and rarely translate to employment

Economics & Work

Five Starter Business Ideas for the Digital Age in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 5 May 2023 · Social Evolution

This piece outlines five low-barrier, phone-first business models—furniture, fashion, books, electronics, and accessories—each requiring min

Economics & Work

On Cameroon's Entertainment Ambitions and Economic Realities

Tino Foy · 4 May 2023 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon's aspiration to become a music exporter is misaligned with its actual comparative advantage, and that the na

Economics & Work

The Myth of the African Startup

PoiseSocial · 24 April 2023 · Social Evolution

A critical examination of the startup narrative exported to Africa from Silicon Valley, arguing that celebrated founders were rarely poor or

Economics & Work

From Job to Career: Building Entrepreneurship Beyond Survival

Wandji Wilfred · 19 September 2022 · Social Evolution

The writer reflects on entrepreneurship in contemporary Cameroon, distinguishing between those who stumble into business out of necessity an

Economics & Work

Mic Monsta: The Structure of Ascent

PoiseSocial · 13 July 2022 · Local Heroes & Figures

A portrait of the Anglophone Cameroonian rapper Mic Monsta's journey from early promise through industry collapse to deliberate reinvention,

Economics & Work

The Service Chain: How Living Standards Shape Excellence in African Markets

PoiseSocial · 11 May 2022 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that poor service quality across African B2C sectors reflects the poor living conditions of service workers and support st

Economics & Work

Ten YouTube Channels That Rival Formal Business Education

PoiseSocial · 21 April 2022

A curated list of ten YouTube creators and channels offering substantive instruction in entrepreneurship, business strategy, and scaling—fra

Economics & Work

Brand Ambassador Deals in Cameroon: The Adidas Paradigm and Modern Influence

Wandji Wilfred · 12 April 2022 · Social Evolution

This piece traces the origins of brand ambassador strategy through Run-DMC's iconic partnership with Adidas in the 1980s, then applies that

Economics & Work

Monetizing a Fanbase: Album Sales, Proof, and the Cameroon Music Industry

PoiseSocial · 4 April 2022 · Local Heroes & Figures

The writer questions inflated sales claims around a major local album release and uses it as a springboard to examine what transparency in m

Economics & Work

The Run-DMC Moment in Cameroon: Why Urban Music's Cultural Power Remains Untapped

Wandji Wilfred · 8 March 2022 · Social Evolution

This essay examines the Run-DMC–Adidas partnership as a template for artist-brand synergy, then tests it against Ko-C's 2021 endorsement of

Economics & Work

Brand Ambassador Deals in Cameroon: The Ko-C & Run DMC Paradigm

Wandji Wilfred · 8 March 2022 · Social Evolution

The writer examines Ko-C's brand ambassador deal with Chill beer through the lens of Run-DMC's iconic 1986 partnership with Adidas, asking w

Economics & Work

Monetizing a Fanbase and Music Sales Stats in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 3 March 2022 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the gap between perceived and actual music sales in Cameroon's entertainment industry, using Jovi's success as a case st

Economics & Work

On the Function of Record Labels in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 10 February 2022 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the distinction between major and independent record labels, explaining their different structures, resources, and relat

Economics & Work

On the True Value of a Music Award

Wandji Wilfred · 2 November 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer questions whether the Canal 2'OR, Cameroon's most prestigious music award, holds any real power to shape an artist's career or th

Economics & Work

The Space Pen and the Problem Space: On Premature Solutions

PoiseSocial · 17 September 2021

A business parable contrasts NASA's million-dollar Space Pen with Russia's pragmatic pencil solution, using the difference to illustrate how

Economics & Work

On Sustainable Giving: Why the Young Should Build Before They Give Back

Javnyuy Joybert · 16 September 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that young Cameroonians often mistake launching an NGO or foundation for genuine social impact, when financial instability

Economics & Work

When Brands Become Words: Genericization and Market Power in Cameroon

Poise (Editorial) · 9 September 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer examines genericization—the process by which brand names become generic terms for product categories—through the lens of Cameroon

Economics & Work

The Case for Creative Hubs in Cameroon

Wandji Wilfred · 18 June 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the Hype House model—a physical creative collective in Los Angeles where young content creators live and collaborate—and

Economics & Work

The Quota Question: Why Protective Policy Won't Fix Cameroon's Music Crisis

Tino Foy · 15 June 2021 · Social Evolution

Following a public debate on instituting local music quotas in Cameroonian media, the writer argues that the real constraint is not foreign

Economics & Work

The Youth as Architects of Economic Change in Cameroon

Asafor Ndifor · 20 May 2021 · Social Evolution

This essay argues that Cameroon's economic stagnation—rooted in a consumer economy, weak industrial capacity, and colonial-era educational s

Economics & Work

The Overlooked Architecture of Creative Work

Tino Foy · 22 April 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that artists and creatives in Cameroon fixate on visible, celebrated roles—performing, directing, producing—while missing

Economics & Work

Beyond the Stage: Reimagining Creative Work in Cameroon's Entertainment Economy

Tino Foy · 21 April 2021 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon's creative professionals—musicians, filmmakers, and artists—remain trapped by consumer-era thinking, pursuin

Economics & Work

Twenty-Two Uncomfortable Truths About Life and Business (Part 2)

Nick Huber · 24 February 2021

A collection of aphoristic observations on business, relationships, and personal development, emphasizing emotional logic over rational calc

Economics & Work

Twenty-Two Uncomfortable Truths About Life and Work

Nick Huber · 22 February 2021

A stripped-down checklist of practical wisdom on college, entrepreneurship, money, and decision-making. The writer argues against several wi

Economics & Work

Job Opening: Marketing & Operations Assistant at Just Food, Yaounde

PoiseSocial · 21 January 2021 · Social Evolution

Poise shared a job advertisement for a Marketing & Operations Assistant role at Just Food, a Yaounde-based food processing company specializ

Economics & Work

Job Posting: Marketing & Operations Assistant at Just Food

PoiseSocial · 8 January 2021 · Social Evolution

Poise shared a recruitment notice for a Marketing & Operations Assistant role at Just Food, a Yaounde-based food processing company transfor

Economics & Work

Marketing & Operations Assistant at Just Food: A Portrait of Cameroon's Food-Tech Moment

PoiseSocial · 4 January 2021 · Social Evolution

Poise shared a job posting from Just Food, a Yaounde-based food processing company seeking a marketing and operations assistant. The role en

Economics & Work

The Employability Gap: What Cameroon's Graduates Reveal About Its Education System

Ayeh Dolian · 3 January 2021 · Social Evolution

A sharp critique of a structural mismatch between Cameroonian university graduates and workplace readiness, spotlighted through the writer's

Economics & Work

The Skills Gap, The Entrepreneurship Mirage, and Why Young Cameroonians Struggle to Work

Tino Foy · 8 December 2020 · Social Evolution

Poise examines the shortage of skilled labor in Cameroon and the mismatch between employer expectations and job-seeker capabilities. Drawing

Economics & Work

The Importance of Figures: Why Transparent Sales Matter for Cameroonian Music

Wandji Wilfred · 2 December 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that transparency in music sales data—exemplified by Muzikol's public announcement that Big G Baba sold 5,000 EP copies—is

Economics & Work

Knowledge As Currency: Building Authority Through Answering Questions

Ngwashi Christabel · 30 November 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that professionals across Cameroon—lawyers, accountants, designers, mechanics, and vendors—can build lasting brand authori

Economics & Work

The Duality of Aveiro Djess' New Song

Wandji Wilfred · 26 November 2020 · Social Evolution

A popular Cameroonian song celebrating hard work and modest labor is both a necessary corrective to social-media vanity and, simultaneously,

Economics & Work

The Business of Music: Why Cameroon's Artists Conflate Calling with Career

Tino Foy · 29 September 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroonian artists sabotage their own financial success by treating music as a spiritual calling rather than a busin

Economics & Work

Small Business Spotlight: Constance and the Craft of Self-Reliance

PoiseSocial · 22 September 2020 · Social Evolution

Poise profiles Constance, a Cameroonian tailor-turned-artisan who transitioned from sewing into cement and recycled-material design work, bu

Economics & Work

The Brand Ambassador Bubble in Cameroon

Wandji Wilfred · 9 September 2020 · Social Evolution

This essay critiques the hollowing-out of 'brand ambassador' as a concept in Cameroon's creative industries, where the term has become a soc

Economics & Work

What Is African Fashion? On Definition, Innovation, and Global Participation

PoiseSocial · 4 September 2020

The post argues that African fashion has been narrowly defined—as pattern-driven textiles or imitations of European red-carpet designs—a con

Economics & Work

Meet Ritha Nengi: Beauty Entrepreneur

Wandji Wilfred · 20 August 2020 · Social Evolution

A profile of Ritha Kelly Nengi, a Cameroonian beauty entrepreneur who founded Glowrays Cosmetics after recognizing an underserved market for

Economics & Work

Diaspora Urban Acts: Does the Formula Work?

Wandji Wilfred · 20 July 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the viability of Cameroonian musicians promoting themselves to a domestic audience while based abroad, questioning wheth

Economics & Work

Ngoma and the Brand: Four Lessons in Artistic Strategy

Tino Foy · 22 May 2020 · Local Heroes & Figures

Marking the release of Ngoma's EP 'CAM NO GO' in May 2020, this piece sets aside album review to examine Ngoma as a case study in artist bra

Economics & Work

The Craft of Crowdfunding: What Tilla's Album Campaign Could Have Been

Wandji Wilfred · 13 May 2020 · Local Heroes & Figures

When a Cameroonian musician publicly solicited funds for a new album, the writer examines not whether crowdfunding itself is appropriate, bu

Economics & Work

Finding Your Brand Voice: How Bimstr Built a Platform Through Authentic Language

Wandji Wilfred · 15 April 2020 · Local Heroes & Figures

An analysis of how Bimstr, a Cameroonian music promotional platform, succeeded by speaking directly to its young, urban audience in Franc-An

Economics & Work

The Details That Stand Apart: On Self-Sabotage in Creative Work

Wandji Wilfred · 14 April 2020

The writer reflects on why emerging musicians often fail to present themselves professionally to gatekeepers and platforms, drawing on a pod

Economics & Work

Young Cameroonian Musicians and the Pandemic Moment

Wandji Wilfred · 13 April 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer examines whether young Cameroonian musicians are seizing the creative and commercial opportunities that emerged during COVID-19 l

Economics & Work

Five Sales Lessons from Building a Natural Hair Business

Borno Sandra Awase · 8 April 2020 · Local Heroes & Figures

A Cameroonian beauty entrepreneur reflects on her journey from self-described reluctant seller to confident founder of Molonga Naturals, sha

Economics & Work

Francis Bebey's Song and the Copyright Question

Wandji Wilfred · 7 April 2020 · Local Heroes & Figures

The writer documents a case in which American rapper Theophilus London's song, featured in Netflix's *Ozark*, appears to draw from Camerooni

Economics & Work

How Long Are We Going to Stay Indoors? Economic Resilience and Pandemic Duration

Tino Foy · 5 April 2020

Written in early April 2020, this piece examines whether modern societies can sustain the social distancing necessary to control a pandemic

Economics & Work

Cameroon's Artists and Web Analytics: Building Beyond Social Media

Tadbet Averra · 24 March 2020 · Social Evolution

A practitioner in Cameroonian digital marketing observes that local musicians, bloggers, and creatives rely almost entirely on social media

Economics & Work

Building a Personal Brand as a Female Entrepreneur

Leila Kigha · 23 March 2020

Personal branding is essential for women entrepreneurs navigating gender-biased career obstacles. By clearly defining and consistently proje

Economics & Work

A Short History of Slogans

Ndongo Charis · 22 March 2020

This piece traces the etymology and cultural function of slogans from their Gaelic-Irish origins through their evolution into modern marketi

Economics & Work

The World Belongs to Problem Solvers

Fonyuy Christa Fanso · 19 March 2020 · Social Evolution

A practical call to Cameroonians to identify unmet local needs—from waste management to agricultural processing—and build businesses around

Economics & Work

Five Lessons in Selling: A Natural Hair Entrepreneur's Reckoning

Borno Sandra Awase · 4 March 2020 · Social Evolution

A Cameroonian beauty entrepreneur reflects on her journey building Molonga Naturals, distilling five hard-won insights about sales: stop tar

Economics & Work

The Business of Music: Why Cameroonian Artists Confuse Calling with Career

Tino Foy · 28 February 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroonian musicians often sabotage their financial success by treating music as a spiritual calling rather than a b

Economics & Work

Diaspora Urban Acts: Does the Formula Work?

Wandji Wilfred · 18 February 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the economics and viability of Cameroonian musicians pursuing music careers from abroad, particularly those using social

Economics & Work

The Arithmetic of Ascent: On Friendship and Economic Mobility

Jude Idada · 24 January 2020 · Social Evolution

A narrative essay examining how economic fortune reshapes friendship, tracing the arc of two men whose bond survives job loss but fractures

Economics & Work

Missed Opportunities: Rethinking Talent and Career in Sports and Entertainment

Tino Foy · 16 January 2020 · Social Evolution

The piece argues that young Cameroonian talent in sports and entertainment pursue narrow, consumer-driven paths—chasing celebrity status—whi

Economics & Work

Missed Opportunities and Strategies in the Sports and Entertainment Business

Tino Foy · 15 January 2020 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that young Cameroonians pursuing careers in entertainment and sports often fixate on celebrity and mass visibility rather

Economics & Work

Four Steps to Financial Responsibility

Titus Yusinyu · 10 December 2019

Financial management is the foundation of all economic stability, built not on income but on discipline. The writer outlines four concrete p

Economics & Work

Is Motherland Music Shortchanging Itself?

Wandji Wilfred · 6 December 2019 · Local Heroes & Figures

The writer examines Motherland Empire's minimal roster development over six years since Stanley Enow's breakthrough in 2013, using the poor

Economics & Work

The Artistic Director: A Neglected Role in Cameroon's Entertainment Industry

Wandji Wilfred · 20 November 2019 · Social Evolution

This piece examines the role of artistic director in music video production, arguing that it remains an undervalued and often-unfilled posit

Economics & Work

The Case for Artistic Directors in Cameroonian Music Video Production

Wandji Wilfred · 20 November 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon's entertainment industry, particularly in music video production, lacks trained artistic directors—professio

Economics & Work

The Case of Jumia and Our Resistance to Technology

Tino Foy · 19 November 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer examines Cameroon's deep technological resistance as an economic and cultural drag, using Jumia's withdrawal from e-commerce as a

Economics & Work

Ewube and the Soft Power of Alpha Better Records

Wandji Wilfred · 25 October 2019 · Local Heroes & Figures

An examination of how Alpha Better Records, under Salatiel's leadership, has built influence in Cameroonian urban music not through coercion

Economics & Work

Do Your Ideas Really Belong to You? On Intellectual Property in Africa's Creative Boom

Wandji Wilfred · 17 October 2019 · Social Evolution

As Africa's creative industries expand via digital platforms, most young creators—musicians, designers, fashion entrepreneurs—operate withou

Economics & Work

Community as Capital: The Sustainable Path for Cameroon's Creative Economy

Wandji Wilfred · 9 September 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer examines how artists and creators in Cameroon can build sustainable income by cultivating devoted niche communities rather than c

Economics & Work

No Emotion: On Artist Pay, Corporate Logic, and Labor Power in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 22 August 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that outrage over low artist payments misdiagnoses the problem: corporations have no obligation to fund culture, artists l

Economics & Work

The Discovery Show: Rethinking the Economics of Live Performance

Tino Foy · 20 August 2019 · Social Evolution

A reflective account of a new event platform that redistributes risk and responsibility between artists and organizers, asking whether shift

Economics & Work

The Soft Power of Alpha Better Records: How Collaboration Shapes Cameroonian Music

Wandji Wilfred · 24 July 2019 · Local Heroes & Figures

This piece examines how Alpha Better Records, under Salatiel's leadership, has built influence in Cameroonian urban music through strategic

Economics & Work

Pullover Tina: On Communication, Timing, and the Art of Artist Monetization

Tino Foy · 19 June 2019 · Social Evolution

A critical examination of how an emerging artist's merchandise strategy, despite access to genuine fan affection, failed due to poor communi

Economics & Work

Why Collaboration Remains Difficult Among Cameroonian Artists—And How Jovi Wins

PoiseSocial · 19 June 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that collaboration among Cameroonian entertainers is structurally constrained, not merely a matter of goodwill. Economic p

Economics & Work

Athletics as Economic Leverage: Sport's Unfinished Role in Cameroon's Development

Tino Foy · 18 June 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon possesses exceptional athletic talent—evidenced by figures like Samuel Eto'o and NBA stars Joel Embiid and P

Economics & Work

The Influencer Gap: Why Digital Marketing Struggles in Cameroon

Wandji Wilfred · 14 June 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer examines why influencer marketing has limited efficacy in Cameroon, distinguishing between genuine influence—built on consistent

Economics & Work

Skills, Assets, and the Future of Influence in Cameroon

Poise (Editorial) · 13 June 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroonian influencers cannot rely on direct brand sponsorships—a model slow to arrive in the local market—and must

Economics & Work

Skills and Assets: How Influencers Can Build Income Through Collaboration

Poise (Editorial) · 13 June 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroonian influencers cannot rely on brand sponsorships from major corporations, which remain slow to adopt influen

Economics & Work

Financial Lessons from Salatiel: The DIY Artist as Wealth-Building Model

Tino Foy · 17 May 2019 · Local Heroes & Figures

This piece uses Salatiel's visible financial choices—investing in studio equipment, production tools, and branded assets—as a lens to examin

Economics & Work

Sandra Borno and Molonga Naturals: A Portrait of Passion Over Hustle

Wandji Wilfred · 26 March 2019 · Local Heroes & Figures

Poise profiles Sandra Borno, founder of Molonga Naturals, a natural hair-care brand built on deep product knowledge, ingredient transparency

Economics & Work

Customer Service and the Economics of Dignity

Tino Foy · 20 March 2019 · Social Evolution

A sharp critique of customer service failures in Cameroon, traced through a frustrating dry-cleaning transaction. The writer argues that poo

Economics & Work

The Preemptive Signing: African Artists and the Logic of Major Labels

Tino Foy · 9 March 2019 · Social Evolution

The post questions whether Universal Music's near-simultaneous signing of Cameroon-based artists Locko and Tenor in 2018 was a strategic mov

Economics & Work

The Valuation Problem: Pricing Creative Work in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 27 February 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer reflects on the persistent difficulty of pricing creative services in Cameroon, tracing the problem to asymmetrical understanding

Economics & Work

Making Money as an Artist by Staying Small (Part One)

Tino Foy · 26 January 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that in an era of market saturation and algorithmic streaming, artists face a paradox: visibility no longer guarantees inc

Economics & Work

The Age of the Side Hustle: Nora Gweji on Building Beyond the Primary Job

Poise (Editorial) · 6 January 2019 · Social Evolution

A profile of Nora Gweji, who built an event decoration and planning business alongside full-time banking work, starting in 2015 with $1,000

Economics & Work

Seven Skills for Financial Independence in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 5 January 2019 · Social Evolution

The writer surveys seven technical and creative trades—graphic design, video editing, community management, content creation, web developmen

Economics & Work

Cameroonian Universities Absent from Africa's Top 200

Poise (Editorial) · 28 December 2018 · Social Evolution

In 2018, no Cameroonian university appeared on uniRank's list of Africa's top 200 institutions, a reversal from the previous year when three

Economics & Work

The Diaspora's $60 Billion: Why We Must Spend Differently

Wandji Wilfred · 18 December 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer reflects on his brother's regular $50 remittances and pivots to a larger question: Africa receives $60 billion annually from its

Economics & Work

An Open Letter to Cameroon's Filmmakers: On Product, Distribution, and Respect

Tino Foy · 13 December 2018 · Social Evolution

A filmmaker and industry observer critiques Cameroon's film sector for expecting audiences to validate their effort rather than deliver comp

Economics & Work

The Magasco-Niska Scheduling Clash: A Case Study in Market Perception vs. Market Reality

Tino Foy · 26 November 2018 · Social Evolution

When Cameroon-based afropop artist Magasco's December concert was scheduled just one day before French rapper Niska's show at the same venue

Economics & Work

On Being Called a Tontinard: Pride, Social Cohesion, and Economic Self-Determination

Wandji Wilfred · 15 November 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer responds to being labeled 'Tontinard' as a casual insult by reframing it as a badge of honor, celebrating the njangi (tontine) sy

Economics & Work

United Nations Volunteer Opportunities: 47 Positions with the World Food Programme in Cameroon

Poise (Editorial) · 1 October 2018

Poise circulated a recruitment notice for 47 volunteer positions with the United Nations World Food Programme across Cameroon, spanning moni

Economics & Work

Youth Entrepreneurship: Okara Brands and the Making of a Young Founder

Mata Harri · 18 September 2018 · Local Heroes & Figures

Ayuk Nicole, through resilience forged by an unsettled childhood and a deliberate refusal to remain idle, built Okara Brands into a skincare

Economics & Work

Youth Entrepreneurship 1: Snapburger

Emmanuel Asafor · 17 September 2018 · Social Evolution

A reflection on discovering Snapburger, a new burger joint in Yaounde opened by two university students, and what their venture represents f

Economics & Work

The Age of the Side Hustle

Tino Foy · 15 September 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer examines how generational shifts and digital culture have reframed our relationship to work and passion. Rather than chasing a si

Economics & Work

Have Our Billionaires Betrayed Us?

Wandji Wilfred · 6 September 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer questions whether Cameroon's wealthy elite have abdicated their moral and social responsibility to mentor and inspire the next ge

Economics & Work

The Price of Change: Youth, Value, and the Charity Hustle

Tino Foy · 6 September 2018 · Social Evolution

A critical examination of young rapper Otang's EP pricing strategy and her management's conflation of commercial sales with charitable givin

Economics & Work

Evaluating ICT University in Cameroon: Credentials, Capacity, and Pragmatic Choice

Tino Foy · 5 September 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer undertakes a skeptical institutional audit of ICT University, a Louisiana-registered institution operating in Cameroon, and finds

Economics & Work

Working with Creatives

Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic · 9 August 2018

The piece examines the personality traits that often accompany creative talent—neuroticism, antisocial behavior, lower conscientiousness—and

Economics & Work

The Show by Orange: Marketing Ambition and the Concert Experience Gap in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 25 June 2018 · Social Evolution

Orange Cameroon's event-based marketing push, exemplified by "The Show," marks a strategic shift in how the telecom competes with MTN. Yet t

Economics & Work

Imposters and Dirty Money: The Entertainment Industry's Structural Crisis

Tino Foy · 7 June 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon's entertainment industry is held back by imposters who devalue artistic work and attract illicit funding. Dr

Economics & Work

Most Big Progress Can Only Be Done By You, the Youth

Asafor Ndifor · 2 April 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that Cameroon's economic stagnation stems from a consumer-dependent economy and an educational system that trains job-seek

Economics & Work

Is Africa's Progress an Illusion? GDP, Debt, and the Myth of Growth

Tino Foy · 22 March 2018 · Political Culture

The writer argues that African GDP growth figures, often cited by governments as proof of economic success, mask a deeper structural problem

Economics & Work

Bush Faller Record Deals in Cameroon: Part Two

Tino Foy · 13 March 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer examines misguided record label partnerships in Cameroon, focusing on artists like Pascal and Mic Monsta who accepted deals empha

Economics & Work

Bush Faller Record Deals in Cameroon: Part One

Tino Foy · 13 March 2018 · Social Evolution

This analytical essay examines the rise of diaspora-backed record labels in Cameroon's emerging entertainment industry, situating it within

Economics & Work

Financial Lessons from Salatiel: The DIY Artist Model

Tino Foy · 12 March 2018 · Local Heroes & Figures

Using Cameroon's independent artist Salatiel as a case study, this piece argues that musicians who build sustainable careers are those who u

Economics & Work

The New Bell Music Ecosystem: Insularity as Constraint

Wandji Wilfred · 5 February 2018 · Local Heroes & Figures

The writer examines New Bell Music—a prominent Cameroonian independent label built by Jovi—and argues that its tightly closed creative ecosy

Economics & Work

Upcoming Cameroonian Rappers Need to Rethink Strategy

Tino Foy · 25 January 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer breaks a hiatus from music criticism to release his own track in under 48 hours, using minimal equipment and free beats, in order

Economics & Work

On Shipping: Why Cameroonian Rappers Must Release Over Refine

Tino Foy · 21 January 2018 · Social Evolution

The writer, a respected music critic, returns to rap to demonstrate a principle he believes the Cameroonian hip-hop scene has forgotten: tha

Economics & Work

Everything You Need to Know About Bitcoin as an African

FBGEOFF feat Tino Foy · 15 January 2018 · Social Evolution

A primer on Bitcoin and cryptocurrency for African traders, explaining blockchain technology, how to trade digitally, and the specific barri

Economics & Work

Orange Cameroon and the BDMA Gift: When Sponsorship Becomes Performance

Tino Foy · 2 January 2018 · Social Evolution

A winner of the BDMA (a digital media award) examines what the lead sponsor, Orange Cameroon, actually delivered in its gift package to laur

Economics & Work

The Manager Plague: On Hustle, Professionalism, and Missed Opportunities in Cameroon's Entertainment Industry

PoiseSocial · 4 December 2017 · Social Evolution

A critical examination of how Cameroon's entertainment sector undermines itself through performative professionalism—artists hiding behind i

Economics & Work

The Strategic Reckoning: On Diaspora Money and African Self-Investment

Wandji Wilfred · 3 December 2017 · Social Evolution

A Cameroonian writer reflects on the $60 billion annually sent by African diaspora to the continent—more than Africa receives in foreign aid

Economics & Work

A Lesson on Buyer's Remorse: Young Entrepreneurs and the Cost of Short-Term Thinking

PoiseSocial · 25 October 2017 · Social Evolution

A Cameroonian returnee entrepreneur reflects on the structural prejudice young business owners face—particularly in B2B sales—and traces it

Economics & Work

Rethinking Capitalism: The Case for Social Markets in Cameroon

Tino Foy · 2 October 2017 · Political Culture

The writer questions whether unfettered capitalism, as commonly sold to African societies, truly serves the broad population, and proposes i

Economics & Work

On Stanley Enow's Visible Wealth: A Case Study in Cameroon Hip-Hop Economics

PoiseSocial · 29 September 2017 · Local Heroes & Figures

The writer makes a spirited argument that Stanley Enow, a Cameroonian rapper, has demonstrably earned and spent more money than his peer Jov

Economics & Work

The Arithmetic of Visibility: A Close Reading of Two Cameroon Hip-Hop Economies

PoiseSocial · 28 September 2017 · Local Heroes & Figures

This 2017 analysis challenges the assumption that Stanley Enow's high-profile international presence and sponsorships translate to greater e

Economics & Work

The Entrepreneur's Birthright: Born, Not Made

Gary Vaynerchuk · 8 September 2017

A sharp critique of the startup boom of the mid-2010s, where easy capital and cultural mythology created a false sense that entrepreneurship

Economics & Work

On Entrepreneurship and the Illusion of Escape

PoiseSocial · 5 September 2017 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that entrepreneurship is an inborn temperament, not an aspirational title—and that most people drawn to it are chasing cel

Economics & Work

Is Africa's Progress an Illusion? On GDP, Debt, and Economic Sovereignty

JC · 28 August 2017 · Political Culture

This piece interrogates Africa's reported GDP growth as a misleading metric that masks debt accumulation, capital flight, and the persistenc

Economics & Work

Why Collaboration Falters in Cameroon's Music Industry—And How Jovi Succeeds

PoiseSocial · 14 August 2017 · Social Evolution

The writer argues that collaboration among Cameroonian artists remains structurally difficult, not merely a matter of goodwill, because econ

Economics & Work

Mobile Money Monopolies and E-Commerce Stagnation in Cameroon

PoiseSocial · 1 August 2017 · Social Evolution

This piece argues that while structural barriers—poor addressing, low card penetration, and skepticism of online transactions—are real obsta

Economics & Work

The Okada Man and the Cost of Credentials

PoiseSocial · 31 July 2017 · Social Evolution

A reflection on the okada (motorcycle taxi) driver as economic actor and social mirror in Cameroon, examining how educational prestige and c

Economics & Work

The Bullying Economy of Cameroonian Music

PoiseSocial · 27 July 2017 · Social Evolution

A critical examination of how structural desperation in Cameroon's music industry enables systematic exploitation of artists by intermediari

Economics & Work

The Fragility of Free Platforms: Music Distribution in Cameroon at a Crossroads

PoiseSocial · 24 July 2017 · Social Evolution

The writer examines the precarious position of Cameroonian artists and fans following SoundCloud's financial crisis and rumored closures, al

Economics & Work

Ridesharing and the Friction of Digital Commerce in Cameroon

PoiseSocial · 18 July 2017 · Social Evolution

The post surveys the state of internet-based entrepreneurship in Cameroon, tracking the barriers that young founders face—chiefly gatekeepin