The Nature of Small Business Holders’ Vulnerability in Tanzania. A Case of Street Vendors in Dodoma City

This study has examined vulnerability of street vendors in its different forms and was conducted around Central Business District in locations; Nyerere square, Sabasaba, Majengo and Oneway. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative techniques within which quantitative aspect employed probability sampling while qualitative aspect employed non probability sampling. Data were collected using survey, interviews, and observations coupled with documentary review. The findings in this study reveal that street vendors disputes with LGA in Dodoma city erupt occasionally due to street vendors conduct their businesses in land spaces not originally meant for street vendors, there is neither legal defense nor advocacy for street vendors’ interests, there is also low level of awareness, business knowledge and skills among majority street vendors. It is recommended that there is a need for rational mainstreaming SVBs in policy, laws and by laws. Curbing the street vending vulnerability require halt of ad hoc and emergence-style of addressing street vendors’ vulnerability. This study argues that it is high time for street vendors be supported to establish strong organization for the purpose of effective advocacy and effective representation of street vendors without compromising urban land space use standards.