In many countries like Nigeria, hawking and street trading are an age-old tradition. Most street vendors are between ten and 27 years old, writes Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 21, a Correspondent from Gbongan in Nigeria, and beyond small financial gain have little control of their fate. In the good old days, shouts about products or a melodious tune …

"Street trading blues – legal or not in Nigeria?" Read More »

The stereotype of rural poverty has been turned on its head in Pakistan, where urban poverty is a dire problem that needs intervention through new government policies, writes Naseema Perveen, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Islamabad in Pakistan. Pakistan has been reported to be a place which is dangerous for human life; it faces a …

“Urban poverty is on a persistent rise in Pakistan” Read More »

Kenya is struggling with rising cost of living, writes Brian Dan Migowe, 23, a Correspondent from Kenya, who argues that solving the problem is more complex than cutting top salaries. Is cutting the wage bill a clean passage towards Kenya’s economic growth? Yes, when done correctly, timely and with a voice of inclusion for all. …

"Wage cuts and solutions to the cost of living" Read More »

Malaysia is struggling with increasing cost of living, writes Geetha Kanniah, 18, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Malaysia, as she looks at how oil prices and taxes have far-reaching impact on the economy. Here’s my financial predicament – as a college student, my parents give me RM50.00 (USD 14) every two weeks, mainly for food and supplies. I …

"My financial predicament teaches some lessons" Read More »

Youth unemployment is a discouraging fact, but Advira Shand, 24, a Correspondent from Manchester in Jamaica, says policy changes and activism can pave the way to solutions. It has become customary to see scores of educated unemployed Jamaican youths lining streets in an attempt to gain access to employment. Growing up I was fed daily with the …

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African youth have opportunity ahead, but Carole Nyemeck, 22, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Yaounde in Cameroon writes that the first step is to move toward positive attitudes. I was queuing for a public service in Yaoundé, waiting to be received, when I met a group of youths like me. Naturally, as it is always the case in such circumstances, …

“Reclaiming the African mind from defeatism” Read More »

Family ties are valuable supports, but as Oluwafemi Ogunjobi, 23, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Nigeria writes, they do not replace the need for personal responsibility. Africans, especially, are not quick to forget the embittered family feud between sports personality Emmanuel Adebayor and his family – a story of a successful child, who did his best …

“Family feud: dependence breaks families” Read More »

A critical look at how other societies have created wealth could be instructive for Africans, writes Mercy Zulu, 24, a Correspondent from Lusaka in Zambia, who says informed consumers have a role to play. I was amused with the attention that followed my status posting about an interview I heard. It stimulated debate related to Chika …

“Ubuntu economics: what Africa can learn” Read More »

The world of marketing shapes our consumer choices, writes Abdullah Al Hasan, 25, a Commonwealth Correspondent from Dhaka in Bangladesh, as he looks behind the scenes at how marketing works. Suppose you’re going to buy a product and you opt for a specific brand. Now the question is – why do you choose that brand? Maybe you …

“Marketing: it is challenging, creative and fun” Read More »