Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
INFORMAL traders have called for urgent reforms to improve infrastructure, enhance security of tenure and increase their participation in decision-making processes, as the City of Harare pledged to pursue policy and financing reforms aimed at transforming urban markets.
The concerns were raised at the African Cities Research Consortium (ACRC) Urban Markets Indaba held in Harare yesterday, where market representatives, city officials, researchers and development partners discussed challenges facing urban markets and explored possible solutions.
Speaking on behalf of traders, Glen View Area 8 Home Industry Complex Management Committee chairperson Mr Tawanda Utete said urban markets remained critical centres of employment and economic activity but continued to face numerous operational challenges.
He said some of the major challenges affecting markets were inadequate water supplies, poor sanitation facilities, irregular refuse collection and lack of shelter for traders and farmers.
Mr Utete said recurring fire outbreaks at the Glen View Area 8 Complex and overcrowding have increased vulnerability to disasters.
“We do not want to be treated as illegal traders. We need formal recognition and proper licensing frameworks that allow us to operate our businesses freely,” he said.
Mr Utete called for harmonised policies, improved access to finance and secure trading spaces to ensure the sustainability of market operations.
Representing Lusaka Market in Highfield, Mrs Alika Bhasikoro said farmers who supply urban markets continued to face difficult conditions due to inadequate infrastructure.
She said many farmers travel long distances and arrived at markets at different times but lacked accommodation facilities, storage space and adequate shelter.
“Our markets are failing to accommodate farmers adequately, especially those bringing perishable products. There is a need for investment in proper infrastructure and storage facilities,” she said.
Mrs Bhasikoro said improving market infrastructure would strengthen food supply systems and improve livelihoods for both farmers and traders.
Hatcliffe Dust Market chairperson Mr John Kazingizi said urban markets have become an important source of income for many households.
He welcomed the City of Harare’s decision to review market fees following concerns raised by traders and urged authorities to expedite market development projects.
“In Zimbabwe, markets have become a major source of livelihood where most families are dependent on them. The markets have enabled families to send their children to school, with some traders even funding university education from the proceeds generated through market activities,” said Mr Kazingizi.
He added: “We appreciate the City of Harare for listening to our concerns regarding the affordability of market fees. We also welcome the commitment to build and improve markets, and we are prepared to pay the requisite fees to ensure these markets are sustainable.”
Meanwhile, Jambanja Market Operators chairperson Ms Prudence Chimbo called for greater engagement between local authorities and traders and said many operators felt excluded from decisions affecting their businesses.
Acting Harare Town Clerk Advocate Warren Chiwawa acknowledged the challenges facing urban markets and said the local authority was committed to finding practical solutions.
“As administrators managing rapidly growing cities, we know that our challenges in informal economies and marketplace management are shared. We look forward to learning from your operational experiences,” he said.
Adv Chiwawa said market leaders and trader associations were important stakeholders whose participation was critical in developing responsive policies and programmes.
Adv Chiwawa welcomed ACRC’s involvement and said its evidence-based research would support policy formulation and market development initiatives.
“The administration of Harare is fully committed to implementing actionable outcomes, financing mechanisms and policy reforms that emerge from these deliberations,” he said.
The indaba forms part of the ongoing ACRC Urban Markets Action Research Process which seeks to identify practical solutions for repositioning Harare’s urban markets as inclusive, productive, resilient and well-governed city systems.
Stakeholders said improved infrastructure, better governance and formal recognition of traders would be critical in unlocking the full economic potential of urban markets, which have become an increasingly important source of employment and income generation in Zimbabwe.
