Street Vending as a Safety-Net for Disadvantaged People in Addis Ababa

Street vending activity is one of the most important components of the urban informal sector. It has its own distinct dynamics that link the participants to space in ways that mostly does not concern other informal sector workers. Since they sell goods which are produced either informally by them or from the formal sector, they have to get access to market. And it is impossible to them without using the streets unlicensed to sell their goods. And hence, the urban authorities illegalize any kind of informal access to streets. Despite that, street vending activity has become resistant to threats posed by urban authorities in Addis Ababa in general and Arada Sub-city in Particular.Because, the only opportunity to the disadvantaged people such as, people who has no pen pusher relative, cash, further education, some of the recent migrants, disabled and women, is involving in street vending; since the formal sector is full of obstacles to enter for these groups. Thus, they wear, eat, drink and hope to win the other life challenges through vending on street sides rather than through the government help.

Autorentext

My Name is Tamirat Mengistu and currently I am serving in Jimma University as a lecturer in Sociology and Social Work Department.I graduated from Addis Ababa University by majoring Sociology and Social Anthropology in 2007 and earned my MA degree in Sociology with specialization in Urban-Industrial Stream in 2012.