Vegetable Street Vending in Dhaka, Bangladesh: Reflecting a Socioeconomic Perspective Toward the Informal Sector of African Entrepreneurship

Street vending is a widespread phenomenon in many developing countries including the African region, providing a source of livelihood for millions of people and a convenient and affordable service for consumers. However, street vendors often operate in precarious and hostile conditions, facing harassment from local authorities, eviction from public spaces, and marginalization from formal planning processes. This study aims to explore the problems and prospects of street vending in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, that shares a border similarity with its African counterparts, with a focus on the socioeconomic situation of vegetable vendors and their potential role in urban development. The study is based on primary data collected through semi-structured interviews with 42 vegetable vendors in several areas where street vending is prevalent, as well as secondary data from relevant literature and reports. The study reveals that street vending is not a hindrance to urban progress and sustainability but a vital component of an alternative street economy that contributes to reducing poverty, enhancing social inclusion, and diversifying urban culture. The study argues that instead of trying to eliminate street vendors, it is necessary to adopt a more inclusive and participatory approach that recognizes their rights and needs and integrates them into the existing regulatory framework. From the experience of Dhaka, the study also suggests some policy recommendations for improving the working conditions and livelihoods of vegetable vendors, as well as for enhancing their contribution to urban development that can also be reflected in the context of African countries.