The Entrepreneur - Cameroon's Premier Economic & Business Journal

Civil Society Development Important for a Nation

NGOs across the developing world unite scattered individuals to pressure for tangible government reform. In Rwanda, for example, NGOs have helped spread democratic principles in the wake of conflict. This article describes how groups traditionally skeptical of non-state organizations, like Muslim communities of the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa, are engaging in pro-democracy activism thanks to the mediation of NGOs.

“Legalized Imperialism”: “Responsibility to Protect” and the Dubious Case of Haiti

This article suggests that Canada invoked the "responsibility to protect" (R2P) to legitimize foreign intervention and overthrow Jean Bertrand Aristide in February, 2004. When Aristide put the needs of Haiti's poor ahead of the International Monetary Fund's structural adjustment program, the US, France and Canada rallied behind Canadian MP, Denis Paradis', rhetoric of R2P, to enforce a UN mandate for the coup. As John Pilger puts it, R2P looks like "the latest brand name of imperialism."

Just like America, China Is Building a Multi-Ethnic Society

This article asks how China's claim on Tibet differs from the US's rule over Texas two centuries ago. Both nations co-opted outer territories to gain strategic gateways to trade routes and monopolize natural resources. The article notes that "large empires are maintained through a combination of force and law": Like the US, China exercises force and law over its provinces, largely without meaningful popular resistance.

Airlines support African farmers in food miles war

By Zeddy Sambu

British airlines have raised the stakes in the food miles war by flying Kenyan and Ghanian farmers to London  to defend their source of  livelihood before UK  authorities. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, which make millions of pounds flying agr icultural produce to different parts of the world, flew the farmers to Europe free of charge to defend agriculture as a climate change-neutral activity.

Cameroon's Prime Minister chairs Cabinet meeting to assess urgent Economic Measures

The Prime Minister, Head of Government, Ephraim Inoni, chaired a cabinet meeting on March 27, 2008. The meeting was organised to assess the work done by the different ministerial departments in improving on the living conditions of Cameroonians following instructions from the Head of State.

MTN subscribers soar to 61.4 million

Press Release

The MTN Group has announced that it has recorded 61,4 million subscribers across its 21 operations as at 31 December 2007. This is an increase of 53% from 40,1 million subscribers as at 31 December 2006. In addition, the MTN Group has declared a dividend of 136 cents per share, its highest dividend ever. The former Investcom operations recorded subscriber growth of 66% to 13,9 million, contributing 23% of the Group’s total subscriber base. In the South and East Africa (SEA) region subscribers increased by 23% to 19,3 million. In the West and Central Africa (WECA) region subscribers rose by 43% to 28 million and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region recorded a phenomenal 186% increase to 14 million, driven by the very strong growth of MTN Irancell.

Kenyans ‘satisfied’ with peace deal

By Alex Ndegwa

Optimism is sweeping across the country ahead of the naming of a new coalition Cabinet, a new study shows. Many Kenyans are positive that the peace deal between President Kibaki and ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, would hold. According to the poll, 90 per cent of the respondents expressed confidence that the deal would lead to peace and only a paltry two per cent thought the accord was built on quick sand. A further eight per cent did not comment. But the study also shows that an overwhelming majority of Kenyans abhor the violence that broke out after the disputed December 27 presidential elections.

Obama euphoria now hits music scene with a bang

By Caroline Nyanga

The American presidential race remains a vicious battle between Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The world watches with bated breath, who could be the next most powerful man or woman in the world, after George Bush. And the wait is even more critical in Kenya as Obama is the son of a Kenyan. But if the Obama euphoria has dominated the political scene, then the kind of attention he has attracted in the entertainment scene remains unmatched sincethe days of Luther Vandross, Teddy Pendergrass and other famous artists.

Soaring food prices pose serious threat to food and nutrition security

By Boitshepo Bibi Giyose, NEPAD Advisor, Food and Nutrition Security

By all indications, Africa is on red alert as reports of soaring food prices reach even the remotest of villages on the continent. Fortunately, to abate this looming crisis, the implementation of Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) - Pillar 3 agenda has gained momentum and is reinforced by the Thematic Working Group (TWG) on Agriculture and Food Security of the MDG Initiative for Africa which has recently been established under the auspices of the United Nations and the African Union.

NEPAD playing critical role in mobilising finance to speed up Africa’s agriculture programme

The 2003 African Union Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, endorsed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) as a framework for the development of the agriculture sector in Africa and contributing to the reduction of food insecurity and poverty. Since then many consultations have been held with key stakeholders to identify priority investments and early actions at national, regional and continental levels. The major challenge facing CAADP is to assist the implementing partners to mobilise adequate resources to initiate and/or upscale investment in areas where there is agreement.