This study aims to analyze the effects of COVID-19 on actors in the informal economy in Cameroon. To analyze the effects of the COVID-19 crisis on actors in the informal economy, we use secondary data from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS). These data come from a survey of 1310 households. We performed data analysis using comparative methods and a labor market participation model that considers changes in people’s behavior towards health risks in order to explore and compare empirical results with earlier studies. From this analysis, it was revealed that job losses are more important in the informal sector (and, in particular, among men). We note that the absence of wearing a mask decreases the chances of having an informal job and of being suspended from one’s job during the crisis. Likewise, time restrictions that are not appreciated by workers will push actors more towards the informal sector. These results lead to recommendations that contribute towards providing support or direct support to informal workers in the sector.

This paper aims to assess qualitatively and quantitatively the level of resilience of the financial sector in the CEMAC sub-region to macroeconomic shocks and highlight the financial policies that could be implemented. For this purpose, a descriptive analysis of the CEMAC sub-region banking sector, followed by a panel-based econometrics study has been undertaken. The main result from the analysis is that the banking sector of CEMAC is relatively vulnerable to macroeconomic shocks. Accordingly, the decrease of GDP per capita growth rate, long-term financing and real exchange rate as well as the increase of interest rate leads to lower bank provisions. Lower levels of short-term financing induce a lower level of net income commission, while the change in interest rates is an increasing factor. The influence of changes in interest rates on bank's interest margin remains ambiguous. These results confirm the necessity of taking into account the existence of macroeconomic shock constraints in the implementation of financial policies in the sub-region. The paper is original in the manner that it bridges some knowledge gaps of shock management in the monetary zone. It offers policymakers two main insights: the potential rewards for timely intervention to mitigate potential shocks and the need for better control for the credibility and sustainability of the banking system.

The use of modern agricultural inputs has been cited as a major factor for increasing productivity in most sub-Saharan African countries. A wide range of variables influence the adoption of such inputs. It is important to identify these variables in order to ensure the implementation of more effective programmes to promote the use of modern inputs. This article examines the determinants of adoption of three new agricultural technologies (improved maize seeds, inorganic fertiliser and pesticide) by corn producers in the west of Cameroon. Rather than the univariate probit model which is commonly used, the multivariate probit model is employed to take account of the correlation between the disturbances of the three adoption models. The results indicate that the decision to adopt agricultural innovations is significantly influenced by farmers' education, income and risk perception as well as farm size. Therefore, policies aimed at setting up sustainable risk management markets, increasing the level of education of farmers and their access to credit could greatly promote the adoption of agricultural innovations by farmers of Cameroon in general and in the western region in particular.

Utilization of health services during COVID-19 is an important policy for improving health outcomes. However, demand-side barriers to health care are as important as supply-side factors in deterring patients from seeking care during this health crisis. This paper takes a fresh look and contributes to the literature by focuses on a demand-side factor, the fear of Covid-19 infection. We use data from the Coronavirus Impact Assessment Survey conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and compiled data from the World Health Organization’s Covid-19 newsletter in Cameroon. These data show that 61.2% of respondents were using hospitals less during the health crisis. The results of the Probit regressions show that concern about the Covid-19 pandemic reduces the likelihood of attending hospitals. However, this result is heterogeneous by sector of activity and the place of residence of the respondents. The reduction of outings and the suspension of jobs also explain the low hospital attendance during this crisis. Based on these results, we encourage the massive sensitization of communities in using formal health care in strict compliance with the measures to fight the pandemic.

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