Abstracts Economics

The Role of Street Vending in Income Generation for Family Livelihood and Poverty Reduction in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania

by Vaileth Emanuel Marwa

The study on which this thesis is based focused on the role of street vending in income generation for family livelihood and Well-being in Kinondoni Municipality, Tanzania. Specifically, the study examined the street vendors’ access to markets, contributions of street vendors to their filmily livelihood, the sefficiency of income generated per day and factors that limit street vending activities. Data were collected through questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were coded and transcribed and subsequently analyzed, while quantitative data were quantitative were analyzed through Kobo Toolbox in terms of frequencies and percentages. Findings revealed that street traders were categorized into two categories, those who settled in permanent places/spots and those walked in streets seeking for customers. Street vending contributed to family livelihood in a number of ways: by supporting them in paying water and electricity bills, providing basic needs and paying school fees for their children. Furthermore, street venders were faced with interventions by the authorities, harassment and threat of evict. However, limitation to capital and competitions were challenges that face by both groups of street venders. The study concluded that creativity was important as well as the need to understand the psychology of the customers. Despite the fact that street venders provided basic needs to their families incomes generated were not sufficient. The government should also come with appropriate policies in favor street venders. Keywords: Street vending, Street Venders, Income Generation, Family Livelihood.