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The Impact of the Boko Haram Crisis on Female Entrepreneurship in The Far North of Cameroon

Introduction

The Boko Haram crisis, which has plagued the Far North region for over ten years, has had profound repercussions on the socio-economic life of local populations ( Bobbo, 2022). Among the most affected groups are women, who play a crucial role in entrepreneurship and the economic development of their communities (Fouda,  2014). Before the crisis, women were actively involved in the region’s economic activities. However, the insecurity caused by Boko Haram disrupted these dynamics, limiting access to markets, resources, and business opportunities ( Goulet, 2019).

Indeed, the forced displacement of thousands of people, the closure of trade routes, and the omnipresent fear caused by Boko Haram attacks have reduced entrepreneurial opportunities for women (UNDP, 2018). Many women find themselves not only managing the psychological and social impacts of terrorism but also facing economic obstacles that hinder their ability to create and grow businesses (Crisis Group, 2016). In this study, we analyze the impact of this crisis on female entrepreneurship in the Far North region of Cameroon.

  1. Reduction of Business Opportunities

The border areas between Cameroon, Nigeria, and Chad are economically hindered by insecurity. Roads are regularly attacked, transhumance corridors are blocked, and fields are deserted by populations fleeing attacks from the armed group. Indeed, women, who play a central role in local trade, have seen their activities disrupted. Local and cross-border markets are nearly inaccessible, significantly reducing their access to markets, and business opportunities have become almost non-existent. More than 60% of the region’s income generally comes from cross-border trade with Nigeria and Chad. However, with no products to sell and few customers, many traders, especially women, have completely abandoned the market stalls.

Moreover, since the Far North region is heavily agricultural (Baïmélé, 2022), insecurity prevents women from cultivating or selling their products, as the fear of violence and kidnappings often prevents them from moving freely. For this reason, over 70% of agricultural fields have been abandoned (The New Humanitarian, 2015). Additionally, women have limited access to land ownership in this part of the country.

Many women have been forced to leave their villages, losing their livelihoods in the process. As displaced individuals, they face difficulties in regaining economic stability (UNHCR, 2022). They experience specific conflict-related violence, such as kidnappings and sexual abuse (OCHA, 2023). These situations do not provide a conducive environment for women to thrive and enjoy the socio-economic rights they are entitled to.

  1. Disruption of Commercial Activities

Women in the Far North region are engaged in various commercial activities, including the trade of agricultural products, textiles, pottery, and other common consumer goods (Daiawe, 2018). Many grow and sell perishable goods such as maize, beans, vegetables, and cassava ( Méré, 2020), while others have turned to small-scale trading. However, the Boko Haram crisis, by hindering access to markets, has made it difficult to produce and distribute these goods (Crisis Group, 2016). According to a study conducted by MINADER, 70% of farmers, including women, have abandoned their farms, and many others have been unable to carry out essential agricultural activities, such as planting on time (The New Humanitarian, 2015). Women, in this context, find themselves trapped in a cycle of increased poverty (Remadji & Tayo, 2022).

Frequent attacks have also led to the closure of many markets, depriving these women of their main source of income ( Goulet, 2019). For instance, the Mokolo market, which was an important hub for agricultural product trade, was affected by violence, limiting opportunities for many traders. Fears of attacks make it difficult to travel to other locations to stock up on goods, leading to price increases and product shortages in the most affected areas (Mbodiam, 2017).

Moreover, the trade of small livestock, another source of income for women, has been severely disrupted. With Boko Haram raids often targeting livestock, many women have lost not only their animals but also their livelihoods. The need to protect their herds has forced some to abandon all commercial activities, while others have had to sell their animals in distress, often at very low prices.

Additionally, the situation has led to massive population displacements, forcing many women to flee their homes and abandon their commercial activities. Some have been forced to settle in refugee camps, where economic opportunities are almost non-existent (Lémouogué et al., 2019). The loss of income, combined with the increased burden of family responsibilities, has significantly affected the well-being and entrepreneurial dynamics of women.

  1. Limited Access to Financial Resources

In a context where insecurity prevailed, many women, traditionally seen as pillars of the local economy, saw their economic activities disrupted. For example, in localities like Mora or Kolofata, where Boko Haram attacks were frequent, many women had to abandon their businesses, ranging from selling local products to food processing (Teswé, 2020). The uncertainties caused by the violence led to a reduction in customers and the closure of markets, further weakening their ability to generate income.

Generally, in Cameroon, women’s access to credit and banking services is limited (Menye et Sateu, 2017).Traditionally, financial institutions are often reluctant to lend money to women due to gender stereotypes and the lack of collateral (Batibonak, 2022). The crisis has worsened this situation, as banks tightened their lending conditions, further limiting investment opportunities for women. It is also worth noting that women in the Far North, facing precarious economic conditions (Alarba, 2021), find it difficult to justify their loan requests due to the absence of collateral.

Several initiatives have been undertaken to support women in this crisis context. For example, UNFPA (2021) supports the socio-economic reintegration of young female Boko Haram survivors through programs aimed at providing training and access to financing. While effective, these programs are often limited in scope due to insufficient resources and security threats. In some cases, women benefiting from training succeed in creating cooperatives for producing and selling local goods, but the lack of access to capital for infrastructure and equipment remains a major obstacle (MINEPAT, 2022).

Recommendation

  • Strengthen collaboration between the government, NGOs, and the private sector to provide specific support to women entrepreneurs.
  • Implement economic reintegration and entrepreneurship awareness programs. Workshops should be organized to educate women on their rights and give them the confidence to engage in entrepreneurial activities despite the crisis.
  • Implement policies to ensure gender equality, so that women have the same opportunities as men in entrepreneurship.
  • Facilitate women’s access to markets to sell their products by offering training on e-commerce platforms, social media management, and digital marketing to reach a wider audience.
  • Encourage the creation of women entrepreneurs’ cooperatives to promote the sharing of resources, knowledge, and best practices.
  • Involve men and community leaders in initiatives supporting female entrepreneurship to create a favorable and inclusive environment.
  • Implement policies to facilitate women’s access to land.

Conclusion

This reflection on the economic impact of the Boko Haram conflict in Cameroon highlights several concerning conclusions. The instability caused by this war has led to a significant disruption of female entrepreneurs’ commercial activities, affecting their supply chains, sales, and ability to conduct business regularly and efficiently. Boko Haram uses individuals, financial intermediaries, informal transporters, and smugglers, who play key roles in the logistics chain, amplifying civilian attacks and reducing the positive impact of entrepreneurship. A transition to digital commerce, raising awareness among women in high-risk areas, and promoting a participatory approach to this problem will support the economic fabric and promote long-term entrepreneurship.

List of References

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  2. Baïmélé, J. (2022). Extrême-Nord :12000 ha aménagés pour propulser la production agricole. https://datacameroon.com/extreme-nord-12-000-la-production-agricole/
  3. OCHA, 2023. La violence basée sur le genre est accentuée dans les régions du Cameroun touchées par les crises. https://reports.unocha.org/fr/country/cameroon/card/68JZZn9pQl/
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  10. Bobbo, M. (2022). Boko Haram dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord du Cameroun : L’arbre qui cache la forêt », Notes de l’Ifri, Ifri, juin 2022. https://www.ifri.org/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bobbo_boko_haram_cameroun_2022.pdf
  11. Hoinathy, R., Tayo, T. T. (2022). Reconstruire les économies locales pourrait permettre de vaincre Boko Haram. https://issafrica.org/fr/iss-today/reconstruire-les-economies-locales-pourrait-permettre-de-vaincre-boko-haram
  12. The New Humanitarian. (2015). Comment Boko Haram a amené la faim dans le nord du Cameroun. https://reliefweb.int/report/cameroon/comment-boko-haram-amen-la-faim-dans-le-nord-du-cameroun
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MINEPAT. (2022). Redressement Economique et Social dans la région de l’Extrême-Nord : Des résultats satisfaisants. https://minepat.gov.cm/fr/2022/11/18/redressement-economique-et-social-dans-la-region-de-lextreme-nord-des-resultats-satisfaisants/

                                                                                             AUTHORS

          Haiwang Djamo Ferdinang                       M. Tchoupe Fossi                                M. Henri Kouam

                Research Analyst                            Research Analyst  & Founder                Executive Director

 

To Cite: Djamo, H. F., Tchoupe, F., & Kouam, H. (2024). The Impact of the Boko Haram Crisis on Female Entrepreneurship in The Far North of Cameroon. Cameroon Economic Policy Institute, Henri Kouam Foundation.

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