Abstract:
Recently street vending is a worldwide incident and the most visible aspect of the informal
sector, and like other informal sector, still street vending is challenged by various troubles.
So that, the main aim of this study is to make an assessment on the Problems and Prospects
of Street Vending (in Case of Gondar City Administration). The study discusses different
concepts of street vending and it’s the problems and prospects. The study used descriptive
research design to generate answers to the research questions. To determine the sample
size for selecting the respondents the researcher employed a sample size determination
formula. And 384 respondents obtained and participated in the study with convenience
sampling techniques. Primary type of data was collected with the help of questionnaires
and interviews. The collected (questionnaires) data was analyzed by descriptive statistics
of percentage, mean and standard deviation; and qualitative (interview) data was analyzed
through thematic analysis techniques. The findings show that driving force to start street
vending are due to lack of supporter, previous employment condition is unsatisfactory, no
opportunity for formal job and earning money, political instability, displacement, low start up capital, sometimes free from rent, free from government tax, low entrance barrier, etc.
But lack of sufficient capital, lack of dignity, lack of right to work, harassment and
exploitation by national police and municipal authorities, etc are a problem of street
vending. It has also its own prospects like high demand of products by peoples, a possibility
of being a permanent vendor by getting registration from government office, peoples
understanding to street vendors will improve. Finally it is suggested that any responsible
body ought to give attention to support street vending people to operate their business
without damaging; economic, social, environmental, and political aspects of the city. The
government and stakeholders should support the operations of the street vending business
through providing the required credit needs, training programs and working place for their
business operations with minimal precondition.
