Ébolowa, Cameroon

Capital City

Let's be blunt - Ébolowa is an agricultural hub, not a cosmopolitan paradise. With a population of 76,885, this city in Cameroon's South Region revolves around cocoa farming and the bushmeat trade. About 80% of residents work in agriculture, and a planned cocoa factory is set to open in 2024. But don't expect a smooth ride - the bureaucracy can be a persistent headache, as evidenced by the government's involvement in negotiating everything from tractor plants to logging operations. And with the city situated just 60 kilometers from a national park, the bushmeat market is thriving, with 10.3% of residents eating pangolin regularly. If you're drawn to rural African living and don't mind the red tape, Ébolowa might be your kind of place. Otherwise, look elsewhere.