Online Visibility as a New Economic Asset for Cameroonian Youth

• Young Cameroonians increasingly use social media as an essential tool for professional networking and income generation due to a saturated formal job market.
• Digital visibility acts as a form of capital, allowing creators to secure partnerships, advertising deals, and professional connections.
• While platforms offer opportunities, users face significant risks, including identity theft, hacking, and cyberbullying.

The Shift in Employment Strategy

• Content creation has evolved from a hobby to a serious side hustle or primary career for many students and young entrepreneurs.
• Emily Bougem, a student and content creator, balances academic duties with managing a digital brand, "EmiBougs," which offers professional tips and voiceovers.
• Florent Marius Ngah ("Dylan Comedy") notes that visibility is crucial for accessing professional circles and collaborations that would otherwise be out of reach.

Platform Dynamics and Professional Preferences

• Facebook remains the dominant platform for general social activity in Cameroon, accounting for roughly 86 percent of social media traffic as of April 2026.
• A May 2026 informal survey of 30 students at the University of Yaounde I revealed a distinct shift for career goals: 27 out of 30 respondents named LinkedIn as their preferred platform for jobs and internships.

Risks and Regulatory Response

• Digital vulnerability is a growing concern; users frequently encounter scams, phishing emails, and account takeovers.
• The Cameroonian government adopted Law No. 2024/017 in 2024 to regulate data collection, storage, and usage, aiming to protect citizens from digital misuse.
• Experts and entrepreneurs like Michel Boris Affah Ebengue emphasize that while social media opens doors, it must complement—not replace—formal training, technical skills, and actual competence.