Mukodzo, Hilton T., Kabonga, Itai ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6533-996X, Zvokuomba, Kwashirai, Musara, Enock and Nyagadza, Brighton ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7226-0635 (2025) COVID-19 Lockdowns and Implications on the Informal Traders’ Livelihoods in Zimbabwe: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Asian and African Studies.

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Abstract

Though lockdown restrictions were critical in slowing down the pandemic, there is a need to explore their implications on livelihoods of informal traders, especially in heavily informalised economies like Zimbabwe. In this study, we explore the implications of lockdowns on the livelihoods of informal traders in an urban setup in Zimbabwe. We used a qualitative research approach to explore the implications of lockdowns on informal traders’ livelihoods in Bindura, Zimbabwe, collecting data through in-depth interviews ( n =15) and focus group discussions ( n =8). The respondents were sampled purposively, with sampling terminated when data saturation was reached. The data was analysed using the thematic analysis approach. We found that COVID-19 restrictions cut income inflows, culminating in food insecurity, inability to pay for accommodation and other daily household needs. Our findings suggest the intersection of pandemics; COVID-19 broadened the food crisis already affecting not only informal traders but also generality of the general population. Inability to earn and support families psychologically affected informal traders who expressed an increase in stress levels and propensity to abuse alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. Additionally, to cope with lockdown challenges informal traders shifted to trading at home, paying bribes to police, selling assets, borrowing from friends, relatives and ‘loan sharks’ and reliance on remittances. Post COVID-19 lockdowns, informal traders are in excessive debt potentially affecting their ability to bounce back. COVID-19 significantly disrupted the livelihoods of informal sector participants and their ability to generate income needed to meet several household needs. However, informal traders displayed the ability to cope with the crisis, utilising various strategies.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
DOI:	10.1177/00219096251341579
School/Department:	London Campus
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/12131

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