Vendors’ licensing and permit issuing in urban setting: Constraints & implications for vending operations in Dar es Salaam – Tanzania

Abstract

Vendors licencing and permit issuing is among the critical policy issues in the urban settings. It has attracted different actor’s initiatives including the President himself. Such initiatives include the introducti on of vending zones as well issuing of IDs for the vendors. Despite these initiatives, street vendors continue to experience problems related to licence and permit acquisition. This study aimed at investigating barriers to the licensing and permit issuing, implications of unpredictable licensing and vending process on vendor’s livelihood and vendors’ perceived solutions to unpredictability of the legalization process. The study was qualitative in nature, conducted in Dar es Salaam with a sample of 79 respondents who were selected both randomly and purposively. The findings indicate that the exercise is constrained with inadequate and ineffective urban institution, vendors’ attitude and understanding, urban politics and dynamics and the influence of social groups. Further the study revealed that unpredictability of the vendors’ licensing and permit giving exercise have negative implication on human, physical, social, financial and environmental assets. It is suggested from the study that formulation and proper implementation of national policy for vendors as well as improving inclusive decision making will help to improve and resolve unpredictability in the vendors licencing and legalization process in Tanzania.