Browsing by Author "NYIRENDA, Alice"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    An Investigation of Economic Effects of Informal Trading on Household Livelihoods among vendors and hawkers in Lusaka Central Business District
    (2026) NYIRENDA, Alice
    The research examined the economic effects of informal trading on house-hold livelihoods among vendors and hawkers in Lusaka central business district. The specific objectives were to; 1) examine types of informal trading activities undertaken by vendors and hawkers; 2) assess the effects of informal trading on vendors’ and hawkers’ ability to sustainably meet household needs in Lusaka’s CBD; and 3) explore economic challenges hindering the vendors and hawker’s livelihood improvement. The study employed a descriptive research design with a qualitative approach, and a purposive sample of vendors and hawkers in Lusaka being the study site. A sample of 40 participants was used comprising of 28 informal traders, 6 market leaders, and 6 institutional actors (Lusaka City Council, Ministry of Local Government, and NGOs). Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, observations and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), and analyzed using thematic analysis and NVivo software. Findings indicate that informal trading has a significant impact on households’ livelihoods of vendors and hawkers in Lusaka’s CBD. With key activities which include selling second hand clothes, food stuff, household items and mobile phone accessories, generating daily income between K200 and K1500. These funds were reported to only support essential needs such as food, rent and school fees. Major barriers identified include limited access to formal credit facilities due to high collateral requirements and lack of credit history. Further the respondents stated that they faced challenges such as evictions, confiscation of goods, and lacked secure vending spaces. FGDs revealed that periodic evictions and confiscations by the Local Authorities disrupted business continuity and increased vulnerability. Additionally, the lack of social protections such as pensions and insurances limits the potential for long term poverty reduction. The study concludes that while informal trading is a vital survival strategy, its potential is limited by structural challenges. Recommendations include the formal recognition of traders, microfinance inclusion, and capacity building, suggested further research include comparative urban analysis and livelihood mobility. The implications of these findings suggest that Lusaka City Council should shift from a policy of displacement and confiscation towards a regulated integration mode, providing designated, serviced vending zones that provide security of tenure and facilitate stable economic growth for households.