Microlevel analysis of how itinerant immigrant entrepreneurs underwrite local economic development in an African city

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21540910
AutoresIbrahim Abu Abdulai (0000-0002-5813-2386, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, autor de correspondencia), Moses Naiim Fuseini (0000-0002-0830-5752, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies), Elijah Yendaw (0000-0003-0728-0204, Simon Diedong Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies)
Año2024
Volumen41
Número6
Páginas1230-1251
Fecha de publicación2024-11-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaDevelopment Southern Africa (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0376-835X • E-ISSN: 1470-3637
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/0376835x.2024.2403417
OpenAlexW4402981022
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas41

Itinerant merchants are actively involved in various economic activities within and around African cities, albeit on a small scale. However, there remains a gap in understanding their contribution to host cities’ local economic development (LED). This research aims to fill this gap by examining how itinerant immigrant retailers support LED in host cities, using Wa in Ghana. Recognising their role is essential for informing location-specific development plans to boost local economies. Employing a qualitative research approach, we interviewed 52 participants, including itinerant immigrants, city residents, and officials from relevant state agencies. Thematic analysis using NVivo version 11 was employed to analyse the responses. Itinerant merchants play a crucial role in local economies by creating employment opportunities, providing income sources for residents, ensuring convenient access to goods and services, and contributing to market diversification. We discuss how these insights could inform LED policies and planning in sub-Saharan Africa

Demographic economics · Development economics · Economic geography · Economic growth · Economics · Geography · Immigration · Political science · Local Economic Development and Planning · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy