Abstract
Urban areas on the African continent are growing at an unprecedented rate. Africa’s accumulated relative growth rate of its cities now among the highest in the world. The continents’ global share of urban dwellers is also projected to rise from 11.3 per cent in 2010 to a 20.2 per cent by 2050 (Awumbila, 2017). Most of this development will be in the sub-Saharan region due to rural-urban migration and natural population growth. Amidst this growth, sub-Saharan Africa continues to depict among the highest levels of spatial and economic disparities. This is not only seen through the growing informal settlements but also the continuous growth of informal trading, street vending and roadside markets. The informal sector provides a social safety net for the urban poor by not only providing income and employment but also enabling access to cheaper products. However, despite these benefits to most of the urban population, the sector continues to be a major point of conflict with municipal authorities, who are driven by the narrative of enhancing modernity and order in the city (Kinyanjui, 2012). Traders face continuous injustices through evictions, demolitions and confiscation of property. It is also common to hear of sexual harassment and killings as a result of the constant battles between authorities and traders. The study investigates the existing policy on informal trade, attempts to understand the experiences of vendors, studies best practice and makes planning and policy recommendations on how city governments can best manage informal trade. The research methods included primary data collected from informal vendors in the form of questionnaires using a snowball sampling technique with a sample of 30 vendors. The area selected was a mixed-use neighbourhood that has several vendors who occasionally undergo evictions from the city authorities. A focused group discussion to review proposed legislation on the sector was also held with various selected stakeholders. Secondary data was collected on the history of informal vending in Nairobi and the existing policy framework studied. The challenges that face informal vendors in various African cities including Lagos, Lusaka and Cape Town were looked at, as well as the attempts they have made to integrate the sector. In line with the restrictions that the covid-19 pandemic has brought, the study has also looked at the impact of the pandemic on informal trading in Nairobi. The outcome of the study depicts existing tension between traders and city authorities stemming colonial era urban ordinances and bylaws as well as corruption. In order to integrate the sector as part of the city, the city authorities have to recognize the importance of the ‘right to trade.’ From there, other directives such as the more inclusive planning, policy adaptation, development of guidelines and regulations can follow. As policies are developed, inclusion and social justice ought to be given importance through representation and participation. This can be through self-organized groups among vendors as well as the establishment of a tribunal to handle injustices to vendors. Acceptance of this right can also enable better neighbourhood planning and better urban governance which would prevent some of the challenges that have occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic. Awumbila M (2017), Drivers of Migration and Urbanization in Africa: Key Trends and Issues, United Nations Expert Group Meeting on Sustainable Cities, Human Mobility and International Migration, New York. Kinyanjui Mary N (2014), Women and the Informal Economy in Urban Africa From the Margins to the Centre, London, Zed Books.
