Socio-Economic Issues in Cameroon Vol.1

In a situation of bank credit rationing, SMEs have the most recourse to short-term financing. In order of preference, these include tontines, microfinance institutions, business-to-business loans, carers, friends’ helpers, current associate competitions, leasing institutions, associations, and associations, increase in capital. This order corresponds almost to the most sought after alternative financing methods. There is therefore a financial equilibrium problem when it comes to meeting the long-term and medium-term needs of SMEs. To respond to this concern, we have proposed alternative financing methods to SMEs, specifying their order of preference, which SMEs can use in rationing bank credit. Other proposals for banks and public authorities have also been made to improve bank financing for SMEs.Cocoa activity in Meme Division for decades has greatly contributed in the organisation of rural population as well as landscape in the area. This is remarkable in the distribution patterns of local labour forces on cocoa farms after post colonial era. In similar way it has also influence the social, economic and political characteristics of local development in Meme Division since independence. Despite many opportunities from the activity the sector remains questionable. The chapter examines and analyses the contribution of cocoa production to local development in Meme Division as well as the nature of labour practices in the sector. A random sampling technique of one hundred and fifty (150) cocoa producing households in thirty villages was adopted. The issues raised by the respondents was statistically analysed after investigation. Results show that cocoa production is one of the sources of national and households’ income. It has also accounted for the development of solidarity farm working groups. From which four labour patterns are created: family, hired, force, and voluntary labours. These solidarity groups are mostly youth representing 60% of labour force as against 40% for adults’ workers on cocoa activities. Conclusion shows that Meme Division is the best sample to evaluate the role of cocoa activity in the organisation of local population, labour distribution pattern on cocoa sector as well as local development.