Douala is a port city and economic capital of Cameroon. It represents the country’s main business center and largest city, as well as being Cameroon’s largest port and one of the most important in Central Africa. Douala spreads over 120 districts and each district is in itself a city within a city. Each of them is teeming with young people and children in a difficult and precarious situation due in part to the financial and economic crisis of recent years. As a result, most children and young people (and adults too) live by their wits. Young people dream of becoming musicians, footballers or journalists, of entering the world of fashion or business; but in reality, many are active as bricklayers, motorbike taxi drivers, tradesmen, handymen, while the others live by their wits. In Douala, 17% of the working population is unemployed. Not to mention underemployment, which is as high as 70%. Young people, even those with good qualifications, are forced to find makeshift jobs. Many turn to crime. The corruption rate is unbelievable in Douala, discouraging foreign investment.
In some neighborhoods, which are teeming with children and young people, there is a lack of facilities to provide education and entertainment for young people.
