In Africa, wide diffusion of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), particularly mobile phones and Internet technology, has opened new opportunities for informal workers. New opportunities include better access to information, improved welfare, reduction of search and transaction costs, and improved competitiveness. Despite these opportunities, there is limited scientific knowledge about the available technologies applied in the informal economic sector in Africa. In this research, we reviewed recent ICT projects and initiatives designed for informal economy in Sub-Saharan Africa through the lens of design philosophies, applied technology, and the services offered. Our findings show low level of ICT uptake by informal workers, scarce use of user-centered design principles, lack of design science research approaches, and uneven distribution of ICT solutions among informal workers. We recommend the software developers to strive towards implementing ICT solutions that are designed based on the reallife challenges faced by informal workers.
Street trading is a common form of informal work carried out by almost one million Tanzanians. Majority of street traders use mobile devices to interact with customers. Despite this interaction, there is no abundant information showing if their interaction is mainly effective and does not face challenges. This study investigated the challenges faced by street traders and customers interacting through mobile devices in Dodoma, Tanzania. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with 42 street traders and 32 customers, followed by focus group discussion with eight street traders and six customers. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The results show that street traders and customers occasionally interact using mobile phones. However, that interaction is challenged by issues connected to financial, technical and social aspects. These challenges are; lack of reliability among mobile phone interacting customers, mobile network problems, lack of business communication transparency, deeprooted customary practices and perceptions of street trading, poor customer care, lack of consensus over mobile business etiquette, poor quality of product pictures, short mobile internet bundle validity, mobile phone battery life, and costs of mobile handset, transactions, vouchers, packages, and transport. The results call for the option of bundle and transaction cost reduction, network infrastructure improvement and provision of education to street traders and customers so that they realize the significance of business interaction using mobile devices contrary to what is happening recently, as well as abiding by communication ethics to minimize the likely challenges.
Street trading is an economic activity that is conducted by street traders in numerous urban parts of Tanzania. Street traders use mobile technology to search for markets.This study mapped the wants and needs of Tanzanian street traders and their customers in order to better understand the potential and pitfalls of technology to help their trade activities. Qualitative data were collected using in-depth interviews with 22 street traders and 22 customers. In addition, two focus group discussions with 20 participants, including street traders and customers, were conducted. Data were analyzed through content analysis. The results identified a number of technology wants and needs shared by traders and customers that would ease the customers' access to products they want, and support the traders to promote their products, locate where the users are, support business growth, and predict sales potential. This research study contributes to understanding the technology needs of one marginalized group in Tanzania. The study facilitates discussion on the suitability of design research in the context of informal worker communities, and it points toward a path for design research of information systems that are grounded on the needs and knowledge of end-users in their communities and contexts of use.
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