Impact of Virtual Cash Economy on Livelihood Outcomes of Informal Cross Border Traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Dzawanda, Beauty; Nicolau, Melanie; Matsa, Mark

doi:10.1007/s12132-021-09428-6

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The worst-case scenario was that the pandemic came at a time when the country was already suffering economically and many people were depending on hand to mouth services operating informally in the cross-border trading business ( Chagonda, 2020 ). More so the livelihood outcome of informal cross border traders had been severely affected by the cash crisis and virtual cash economy which had resulted in premium exchange rates for foreign currency ( Dzawanda, Nicolau, & Matsa, 2021 ). All this worsened the vulnerability context of ICBT as a livelihood strategy in terms of the SLF.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study undertaken by Skinner and Watson (2020) in South Africa also revealed that informal traders were struggling to feed their families. Spiralling prices of basic commodities and escalating bills have been a feature of the persisting socio-economic crisis for some time ( Chikanda & Tawodzera, 2017 ; Dube & Casale, 2019 ; Dzawanda, Nicolau, & Matsa, 2021 ). Although the rise in prices of goods started way back, as noted by various authors, its impact was largely felt during the lockdown period since the traders were not operating to acquire income.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A catastrophic threat to the already vulnerable towards 2030: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on livelihood outcome of informal cross border traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Dzawanda

Matsa²,

Nicolau³

2022

Social Sciences & Humanities Open

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A catastrophic threat to the already vulnerable towards 2030: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on livelihood outcome of informal cross border traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Dzawanda

Matsa²,

Nicolau³

2022

Social Sciences & Humanities Open

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“…Government’s limited enforcement and monitoring capabilities and prevalent corruption enable informal traders to conceal their activities and evade taxes. The general perception that governments are corrupt undermines tax morale (Perry et al, 2007 ; Dzawanda et al, 2021b ) and reduces the sense of obligation to comply with civic and legal obligations. Thus, a vicious circle of state weakness and informal practices can develop.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, instead of the government accepting informal trade as an enabling factor particularly for the poor, the practice was criticised continuously and accused of crippling the country’s economy and viewed as a threat to national security (Mutopo, 2010 , 2014 ). As a result, the state began to put many restrictions on informal trade, adhering to policies that made it both challenging and costly to comply with legal trade requirements for low-income urban residents (Chani, 2008 ; Jamela, 2013 ; Chikanda & Tawodzera, 2017 ; Dube & Casale, 2019 ; Dzawanda et al, 2021b ). These restrictions and policies against informal cross border trade increased the illegal activities by traders in a bid to survive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strategies for Survival in an Informal Economy: Illegalities of Zimbabwean Informal Cross Border Traders at Ports of Entries in Southern Africa

Dzawanda

Matsa

2023

Int. Journal of Com. WB

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Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) is mostly conducted by poor, vulnerable, small and unregistered traders who end up practising illegal activities in order to earn a livelihood and for the business to thrive. They often do not have official export/import license or permit within a defined threshold and this creates many impediments at international borders which oblige them to engage in illegal and corrupt behaviours. There is little comprehensive research about the illegalities of informal cross border traders and whether these illegalities improve the operation of ICBT or it ruins the business. This research examines the illegalities practised by informal cross border traders (ICBTs) in Zimbabwe to understand their nature, geographical spread, benefits and risks. A qualitative approach was used whereby in-depth interviews were undertaken with 30 informal cross border traders using snowball sampling. Traders who imported from Mozambique, Botswana, South Africa and Zambia were selected to participate in the study in order to document various illegalities performed at diverse national borders. Results revealed that traders engage in many illegal activities both at the national borders and in transit when confronted by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials and other security state organs. It was revealed that many traders use illegal ports of entry when importing their goods and that they rarely declare their goods at official border posts. The research recommends the government to proffer conditions that are manageable for the small scale traders to be registered so that illegal activities and corruption in the country can be lessened and also for the government to obtain meaningful tax from this sector.

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“…Corruption and bribes are also associated with cash shortages, thus pushing people to use DFSs such as mobile and plastic money (transfers and swipes). These challenges were pointed out by [33], [34], [35], [36] . Therefore, the use of DFSs could be attributed to existing economic settings that leave consumers with no choice but to resort to the available DFSs in the absence of cash.…”

Section: Gender Disparity and Financial Inclusion In Developing Count...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gender disparity and Digital Financial inclusion in Advancing the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries

Mpofu

2023

IJIMES

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Purpose: Digital financial services delivered through fintech have grown substantially in developing countries to address the issues of access, affordability, and usage that cripple financial inclusion in these countries. Despite the growth of digital financial services researchers continue to lament the problem of financial inclusion for women. Researchers continue to allude to most women being digitally financially excluded in developing countries. Through a systematic literature review, this study sought to establish the challenges explaining the digital financial exclusion of women or the continued low levels of financial inclusion in developing countries. In addition, the paper sought to unpack how the digital financial inclusion or exclusion of women could impact the realization of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Methodology: The paper adopted a systematic review approach. Literature on the subject was gathered from Scopus indexed journals, reviewed and synthesized Findings: The research established that factors such as digital, social, and financial inclusion, taxation of DFS, socioeconomic and sociocultural challenges as well literacy challenges, and regulatory and legal factors were responsible for the financial and digital financial exclusion of women, thus expanding the gender gap. Digital financial inclusion was found to be critical for economic development and the fruition of SDGs because women spend more on family, and development and generally save better than men. Originality/Value: Digital financial inclusion and financial inclusion are very fundamental to sustainable development and the accomplishment of the SDGs globally and more so in developing countries. Developing countries face an array of challenges toward achieving sustainable development and economic growth. These challenges include poverty and extreme poverty, corruption, resources shortages, lower levels of development, unemployment, and inequality as well as the financial exclusion of vulnerable groups of the population. While several studies have explored challenges of financial inclusion in developing countries, there is a dearth in literature that explores the intersection between digital financial inclusion or exclusion of women in developing countries and the realization of the SDGs. This paper sought to address this void by imploring the intersection between gender disparity and digital financial inclusion as these concern the realization of SDGs in developing economies.

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Impact of Virtual Cash Economy on Livelihood Outcomes of Informal Cross Border Traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Cited by 6 publications

References 17 publications

A catastrophic threat to the already vulnerable towards 2030: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on livelihood outcome of informal cross border traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

A catastrophic threat to the already vulnerable towards 2030: Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on livelihood outcome of informal cross border traders in Gweru, Zimbabwe

Strategies for Survival in an Informal Economy: Illegalities of Zimbabwean Informal Cross Border Traders at Ports of Entries in Southern Africa

Gender disparity and Digital Financial inclusion in Advancing the Attainment of Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Countries

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