Street vending has once again intensified in […]

Street vending has once again intensified in the Central Business District (CBD) of Lusaka, with traders occupying pavements, road sides, and busy corridors in what many residents describe as a full return of illegal trading activities.

 The resurgence has become more noticeable following the closure of Parliament, a period during which many traders and residents say enforcement measures appeared to weaken, allowing vendors to flood major streets in the city center.

 A check by Zambian Business Times-ZBT found traders along Freedom Way, Cairo Road, and Cha Cha Cha Road selling fruits, vegetables, clothes, shoes, mobile accessories, and cooked food, reclaiming spaces previously cleared by local authorities. Pedestrian walkways have in some areas become difficult to access as traders compete for space with motorists and commuters.

 The growing number of vendors also raises concerns over sanitation, public safety, and traffic flow within the city center.

However, efforts to get a comment from the Lusaka City Council on what measures are being taken to address the growing situation proved futile by press time, as no response had been provided by Public Relations Manager Chola Mwamba.

 Notably, street vending has been a topic of discussions for successful governments, with none failing to find an amicable solution, despite endless pronouncements. According to reports, there are over 4,000 or 6,000 street vendors operating in Lusaka; despite pleas by the government for trading in markets, the challenge remains elusive. Can Lusaka be fully free from street vending?

Article by Karen Ngulube