ECAS 2013

Zimbabwe's markets today are dominated by smallholders with the growth of the informal markets largely being people-driven. The informal economy is characterised by spontaneous livelihood activities in response to the failure of the state or markets to provide a conducive operational environment. This paper discusses the role of women entrepreneurs engaged in Fresh Fruit and Vegetable (FFV) provisioning in emerging and expanding urban market spheres of Zimbabwe. The conceptual framework combines actor-force-field and institutional analysis to understand the intricate social and economic networks established by women to sell FFV produce in urban market spaces. Participatory qualitative techniques (tracing/following, observation, key informant interviews) were used to answer questions on the social organisation of markets and marketing. Evidence shows that more women are actively involved in the sector as a livelihood means. Yet, women face unique market entry constraints in terms of key enablers (finance, knowledge, technology) which forces women to use other means to purvey produce to undercut the challenges. This paper therefore presents insights into strategies adopted by women entrepreneurs to secure markets under difficult operational circumstances. Innovatively, women are identifying niche markets in previously unchartered locations, through formal and informal networks. Results indicate better income earnings, improved livelihoods as seen through investment in productive activities and in the way they live. Finally, policy options are suggested to strengthen the position of women entrepreneurs in the sector while institutional measures for improving service provision in food safety standards, product development, and secure marketing infrastructure are proffered.

Small and medium sized towns have for long been described as redistribution points and hubs in the rural - urban interface. Good locations on trade roads, outlets for agricultural areas and supply centers for local or regional demands used to be important elements of urban development.

But changes are occurring with globalization and liberalization affecting territories and networks. New actors, mainly private, are emerging in rural-urban linkages and the place of small and medium sized towns can be challenged. Direct connections from rural areas to main urban centers are sometimes short-circuiting the intermediate level and the key role of middlemen is changing. But new opportunities are also emerging in small urban centers with the development of shops dedicated to farmers (agro inputs, animal feed). Changes in agriculture are also affecting urban commercial patterns.

The paper intends to focus on these issues of global and local changes and their impacts on trade and market characteristics in small and medium towns in East African mountain areas. The case studies are taken in Uganda (Mount Elgon), Tanzania (Mount Rungwe) and Kenya (Central Kenya and Aberdares). It will focus on the organization of markets networks and the emergence of new actors involved in trading relationships between urban and rural areas. Analysis shows that small urban centers are still connected and economically integrated through multi-scalar networks.

This paper examines the Euro-African second-hand cars exportation business. The research's methodology, based on a 4 years study with intensive multi-sited fieldwork, is to follow the cars from their starting point in Europe to their final destination in West Africa. A special focus is developed on two important business hubs; Brussels, capital of Europe, and Cotonou, in Benin. Benin has been described as a "warehouse state", the country being an important hub for the re-exportation of goods in West Africa. Among those re-exported goods, the second-hand cars are estimated to represent as much as 9% of Benin's GDP, making this business the country's first economic activity. Only 5% of those cars stay in Benin and most of them will end their journey in Nigeria. However, for taxation purpose, almost all of them are labelled "in transit to Niger" and will illegally cross the border of Nigeria during their transfer. Many of those cars are also informally used as containers for other goods moving along this path. Second-hand goods - such as TVs, mattresses or fridges - from Europe to Benin. Rice and oil from Cotonou to Niger and Nigeria.

A close description of this trade network allows showing the intertwinement between legal and illegal, formal and informal practices along this path. It is also a good way to shed an interesting light on African entrepreneurs moving regularly between the business places of the Euro-African second-hand cars exportation business.

In the heart of Lagos, Nigeria lies "Computer Village" one of the Africa biggest computers&allied products market. New or second-hand goods, in spare parts or assembled, transit here before reaching the rest of Nigeria and the whole of West Africa. While in Lagos they may be scrapped, repaired, modified, bought and sold - or "simply" end up on an e-dump. The bulk of the goods are imported from the USA and from China, some from Europe, mainly by Igbos living or on business visits to these countries. According to the actors themselves, a large majority of the transcontinental traders and the local businessman, engineers and retailers are Igbos, an ethnic group with a long history of trading.

Still at the beginning of my PhD research, I will expose a work in progress. Nevertheless I can discuss some interesting aspects of this fast growing long distance trade, based trips in Lagos and in Guangzhou where I have been carrying on participatory observation by working in a laptop repairing and selling shop and by selling second hand computers I have sent to Lagos.

With a focus on the Nigerian laptop market, I intend to expose a first essay of object's categorisation (brand new, second hand, locally assembled, fake…) followed by some example of importation strategies (circulation of objects and money). An attempt of analyse will be discussed by crossing information collected on a material level and on a discursive level, both on specific objects and their journeys.