Ants Along the Street: Street Vending as a Lifeblood of the Urban Poor in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia

This article investigates the perspectives and experiences of street vendors in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia, focusing on their motivations for engaging in business and social mobility. The study used a descriptive survey design and gathered data through a questionnaire survey, in-depth interviews, and non-participant observations. A time-location sampling technique was applied to select 250 vendors, and an additional 15 were interviewed using a convenience sampling procedure. The data were analyzed using a combination of quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques. The results revealed that vendors chose street vending due to unemployment, the aspiration for unbridled autonomy, low entry barriers, minimal initial investment requirements, social connections, and the necessity to bolster meager salaries. Most street vendors reported a better standard of living since embarking on their vending venture. The study recommends that local government authorities should acknowledge the socio-economic significance of street vending business for economically disadvantaged urban populations.