The flows of goods, people, ideas and services
between urban and rural areas are collectively known as
rural-urban linkages. This interdependence makes one
area unable to develop in isolation from the other. In
Meme Division, Cameroon, the rural areas (Mbonge and
Konye) and lone urban area (Kumba) depend on each
other for goods, food, labour and other basic services.
The magnitude of rural-urban linkages determines the
level of development of both the rural and urban areas.
Therefore having a critical analysis of the factors that
drive these linkages between them is crucial for
development and livelihood sustenance. It is in line with
the aforementioned that this study seeks to identify the
primary drivers of rural-urban linkages in Meme,
Cameroon. The stratified random sampling technique
was used in questionnaire administration among the
urban and rural inhabitants of Meme Division. A three
point Likert Scale questionnaires were used to collect
data on the drivers of rural-urban linkages in Meme.
Descriptive techniques like tables were used in the
presentation of the data. Findings reveal that
complementarity (demand-supply relationship) in the
form of demand for specialized health services, the
market potentials of both rural and urban areas, the
demand for higher education services and the state
transport infrastructure (transferability) are
respectively the most significant drivers of rural-urban
linkages in Meme Division, Cameroon. The paper
advocates for an awareness of the crucial factors of
rural-urban linkages by development authorities as a
pathway for rural and urban development in Meme
Division, Cameroon.
Keywords : Rural-Urban Linkages, Drivers, Complementarity, Transferability, Intervening Opportunities, Meme Division.