This paper analyses the livelihood strategies of residents in the city of Bamenda, Cameroon. It
argues that the informal economy is not the preserve of the poor. Middle income households
also play a crucial role. Informal economic activities permit the middle class to diversify their
sources of income as well as accumulate capital. It examines the role of class in the informal
economy and analyses the impact of policy on those involved in informal economic activities.
The paper reveals that formality, informality and policy are intertwined, thus making
livelihood strategies in cities complex.