The Entrepreneur - Cameroon's Premier Economic & Business Journal

Life After the Lomé Convention: The Case of St Lucia

The Caribbean island of St. Lucia is an example of how a small state can be caught in a free trade dispute among giants. The EU will further lower tariffs on Latin American bananas to comply with WTO and American standards of free trade. This will drive down the price of St. Lucian bananas, which were formally protected by special tariff agreements. St. Lucia has lost substantial revenues since Europe has liberalized its banana regime, its nationals turning desperately to the informal sector...more

Palm Oil Plantations are Now "Forests" Says EU

A leaked EU Commission report on "sustainable biofuels" has revealed the Commissions' intention to classify palm oil plantations as forest. The expansion of palm oil plantations is a major cause of deforestation and environmental destruction. By classifying the plantations as "forests" the Commission falsely implies that tropical rainforests are not being destroyed by biofuel production....More

A New Phase, Not Just Another 'Economic' Recession

Ismael Hossein-Zadeh, Professor at Drake University, observes that the financial meltdown of 2008 and the economic contraction that continues today represents more than just the ebb and flow of the market. Rather the phenomenon, and governments' reactions to it, shows an emboldening of big business and financial interests in the realm of politics. Hossein-Zadeh explains how the Keynesian reforms of the past were a product of pressure from the people, and the restructuring and regulatory policies that many expect today will need an even mightier push from below...More

African Nations Cup 2012: Togo Sanction Stays

CAF Shows it is in Charge of African Football

By Bright Lokenge

Togo's sanction by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) stays. In the just completed draws for qualifiers for the 2012 African nations Cup in Lubumbashi, Congo, Togo is conspicously absent as one of the continent's elite teams that would be vieing for the converted trophy. Togo's national team was sanctioned after the team failed to honour its commitments at the recent 2010 African Nations Cup (AFCON) in Angola. Embroiled in a terrorist attack in Cabinda, with some of its players and officials wounded or killed, the Togolese Football Association (FA) failed to communicate with CAF and the organising committee of the tournament. Rather, the Togolese relied on media reports to convey messages to CAF and simply boarded a plane to Lome sent by their all-powerful Head of State Faure Gnassimbe.

Tirage au sort de la CAN-2012

Par Fabien NGUI (CRTV)

A peine la Coupe d'Afrique des Nations 2010 terminée, c'est déjà la CAN 2012 qui occupe tous les esprits en Afrique. En effet le tirage au sort des qualifications de la CAN 2012 a été effectué le samedi 20 février 2010, à Lubumbashi, en République démocratique du Congo. L'Egypte, qui a remporté les trois dernières éditions de la CAN -un record-, cherchera à porter sa série à quatre succès de rang, lors de la compétition, qui va se tenir au Gabon et en Guinée Equatoriale.

African Development Bank has new Agriculture Sector Strategy

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Board approved on Wednesday, February 17, 2010 in Tunis, the institution’s 2010-2014 Agricultural Sector Strategy. The strategy seeks to position the institution to effectively contribute to broader development of greater agricultural productivity, food security and poverty reduction while promoting the conservation of the natural resource base. Based on wide stakeholder-consultations, the Strategy focuses on Agricultural Infrastructure and Renewable Natural Resource Management.  – two mutually reinforcing pillars where the Bank Group has demonstrated considerable competence and comparative advantage.

Mount Cameroon Race of Hope 2010

By Bright Lokenge

The annual Mount Cameroon Race of Hope was held on Saturday, February 20, 2010 in Buea. The race which witnessed a significant reorganisation, was won by Joseph Wirba for the male category and Yvonne Ngwanya in the female category. With over seven hundred athletes, the race kicked-off at 7.10 am (CAT), and the athletes scaled the mountain range and returned to the Buea Municipal Stadium in Molyko - the start-off point. This year's race witnessed acrimony between the Buea Municipal Authorities and Cameroon's Ministry of Sports. The Cameroon Athletic Federation insisted much to the chagrin of the locals that the race conforms to the International Athletic Federation (IAAF) standards, which implied dropping the historic summit situated more than 4000 metres above sea level as the endpoint of the race.

US Companies Join Race on Iraqi Oil Bonanza

US companies, including Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford International and Schlumberger, have arrived in Iraq to pursue rebuilding contracts which could total $10 billion over the next five years. As the Iraq government will administer the contracts directly, a system of transparency and accountability is necessary. But Iraq is notoriously corrupt and it lacks experienced managers, auditing systems and reliable enforcement. So it seems doubtful that Iraq can properly monitor these contracts - with companies already known for their bad Iraq performance in the past...More

Joel Matip debloque FC Schalke 04

Par Mathias Victorien Ntep

Joël Matip a ouvert le score le 14 février dernier lors de la rencontre qui opposait Schalke 04 à 1. FC Cologne de Wome Nlend. C´est à l´issue d´un match moyen mais laborieux que l´équipe de Matip viendra à bout de celle de Wome sur le score de 2 – 0. Le match se disputait à l´intérieur de l´ « Arène Veltins de Schalke 04 » à Gelsenkirchen, dans le Bassin de la Ruhr, en Rhénanie-Du-Nord-Westphalie.

Le Professeur Albert Azeyeh Casse sa plume

L’homme des lettres a tiré sa revérence la semaine dernière à l’hopital général de Douala.

Par Pierre Alexis Kaptchouang

A 59 ans, l’imminent professeur de la littérature française occupait le poste de doyen de la faculté des arts de l’Université de Buea depuis 2007. Selon des sources concordante, c’est lors de la cérémonie d’installation des nouveau promus de l’Université de Buea le 27 janvier dernier que cet académicien a entreprit le chemin de la terre de ses ancêtres. Suite à un malaise cardiaque contracté en présence de ses collègues, il a été transporté au centre de santé de l’Université, puis dans une clinique de la ville, avant d’être évacué d’urgence à Douala deux jours après où il sera interné au service de réanimation de l’hôpital général. Le chef de département de français de sa faculté Prof. Pierre Fandio précisera d’ailleurs que “trois jours durant, il restera dans le coma avant de se réveiller l’instant de voir ses collègues accourus à son chevet, et de perdre à nouveau connaissance”. Prof. Albert Azeyeh avait pourtant effectué un tour à la Pitié Salpetrière à Paris en septembre dernier où il avait subi des examens avant de rejoindre son poste pour l’entame de la nouvelle année académique, selon Prof. Fandio.