When poverty meets pixels: the hidden economy of digital sex work in Cameroon 💔

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They’re young or mothers, single or in relationships, students, workers, or unemployed. In recent weeks, a surge in online sex work by Cameroonian women has ignited heated discussions across social media. Behind the suggestive profiles flooding these platforms are often difficult realities: stories of financial struggle, social pressure, and a digital ecosystem far more complex than it appears. While most visible profiles are of young women, men also play roles — as clients, intermediaries, or even behind-the-scenes managers.

Online marketplaces built for discretion — and high traffic 📱

From a smartphone or laptop, everything is negotiable. A very popular platform, now at the center of the controversy, hosts thousands of profiles of women offering sexual services. Listings come complete with provocative photos, explicit pricing, and sometimes even a full “service menu.”

Major cities like Douala and Yaoundé dominate the listings, but the trend is expanding to towns like Bafoussam, Kribi, Bamenda, and Garoua. It’s no longer a fringe phenomenon. By mid-2025, a well known Cameroonian website reportedly had over 3,500 active ads and nearly 170,000 users.

For many, the platform serves as a discreet storefront — a way to attract clients without standing on a street corner. The model is straightforward: a woman creates a profile, lists services and rates, drops her phone number, and waits for messages. If there’s a match, a meeting is set. Payment is per act, no strings attached.

A diverse cast of women 👩🏾‍🦱

This new form of sex work spans all social backgrounds. From college students under 25 to older women and single mothers, from university grads to high school dropouts — the range is wide. Some maintain it as a double life, carefully separated from their day-to-day.

Each profile features services offered, location, and sometimes a pseudonym. Prices vary. Services are coded, but regulars know what’s what. Negotiations happen via private messaging, and once both sides agree, it’s a deal.

What drives it? A mix of reasons 💸

Behind each profile lies a personal story. Some are trying to fund their education. Others want to escape strict households. Many are supporting children on their own. Widespread youth unemployment, rising living costs, and the social pressure to maintain a polished lifestyle all contribute to the rise of digital sex work.

For some, it’s a temporary hustle or a fantasy made real. For others, it’s a full-time job. Word of mouth — often digital — plays a big role. Many say they were introduced to the platform by a friend, or even by a boyfriend.

In some cases, men set up profiles for their partners, coordinate meetings, negotiate terms, and take a cut. These men might present themselves as “supportive” partners, but in practice, they manage the business. In certain relationships, sex work isn’t just tolerated — it’s encouraged as a source of income. Meanwhile, male clients browse and “order” women for a night or a weekend, as if choosing from a delivery app. Sex has become a click-and-collect commodity.

In a relationship, but still on the platforms 💔💑

This is one of the more controversial points: some women on these sites are in relationships. They lead double lives — navigating real affection on one side and transactional intimacy on the other. This raises uncomfortable questions about where love ends and economic survival begins.

Facebook Screenshot « Isn’t this a single combi who wanted to drop his nkang? He orders a go on XXXXX and on arrival finds that it’s his brother’s go…. Woman? The better you raise the python, the bigger it grows, the more it swallows you. »

Some say they have no choice. Others admit they do it to sustain a lifestyle they want to show off online. For many, these platforms offer a way out of boredom, poverty, or emotional and financial dependence.

A discreet but well-oiled operation 🤫

Despite the taboo, the system is highly organized. Automated replies, clear pricing, optional travel, preferred meeting spots — everything is handled with efficiency. The money part is negotiable, but seasoned workers often set the terms.

Several women say they don’t feel unsafe — they vet their clients and cancel if anything feels off. Still, others recount unsettling encounters or risky situations. In some cases, they rely on trusted partners or handlers to manage the logistics — and provide a layer of protection.

What Cameroonians are saying 🗣️

On the streets of Yaoundé, people have mixed feelings about the growing visibility of online sex work. The problem is real — and opinions vary.

Bruno, a local resident, says: “Poverty explains a lot. These girls just want quick cash. Even those with jobs can’t make ends meet anymore.” His view is widely shared, pointing to the harsh economic realities pushing women into the trade.

Others, like Mireille, highlight cultural and social pressures:

“Many girls want to live like Instagram influencers — nice clothes, travel, fancy phones. When your job or your parents can’t afford that, you turn to other ways. There’s also social pressure. If you don’t post luxury meals or show you’re ‘living well,’ people treat you like a village girl. Some girls sell their bodies just to maintain an image.”

Then there are voices calling for more nuance.

Aristide says: “It’s not always the girls’ fault. Some boys push them into this. They even manage them. But society only judges the women, because they’re more visible. Online you see comments like, ‘Your girlfriends are on XXXXXX.’”

Should platforms be held accountable ? 💻

Even if digital tools merely facilitate these exchanges, the platforms themselves are not off the hook. Most offer no clear moderation or reporting mechanisms. In practice, sexually explicit content is widely available — with little sign of oversight.

Some platforms claim they’re not responsible for what users post. That raises serious concerns when profiles openly advertise sexual services. This gray area puts the spotlight on how ethically — or carelessly — these platforms operate.

A legal gray zone in Cameroon  ⚖️

Cameroon currently has no specific laws regulating digital sex work or the platforms that host it. The legal framework is vague at best, making it hard for authorities to intervene or protect those involved. This legal vacuum leaves both sex workers and users vulnerable — in ways that are hard to track or address.

From scandal to normalization 🧯

Though still controversial, the practice is increasingly normalized. WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, and anonymous accounts regularly share links to these platforms. Screenshots circulate, stoking voyeurism and online chatter. And on the streets, these conversations are no longer taboo.

Screenshot – « So we’re in the prayer group and you’re on xxxx too? »

Men Are a Central Part of the Ecosystem 📲

Yet while the spotlight often lands on the women involved, one crucial part of the equation remains largely overlooked: men play a key role in sustaining the digital sex trade. Behind every viewed profile, every transaction, there’s a man driving demand. Some are repeat clients.

Others—boyfriends, acquaintances, even handlers—help set up accounts, curate profiles, or negotiate deals. In many cases, men are not just consumers but facilitators, shaping the system from behind the scenes. Their role highlights deeper issues: power dynamics, gender inequality, and the shared responsibility in the growing normalization of digital sex work.

Here’s the paradox: many denounce it, but many use it. Some browse, some book. Meanwhile, women navigate a system that both empowers and exploits them — while society continues to cast judgment.

What do you think ?? 
How should we talk about the rise of digital sex work in Cameroon? The conversation is just beginning. 🥲