JOURNAL ARTICLE

'Locked Down But Not Locked Out': Everyday Experiences of Migrant Traders During the COVID-19 Pandemic Era in Harare, Zimbabwe.

  • Published In: Journal of Asian & African Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.), 2025, v. 60, n. 3. P. 1710 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Mushonga, R. H.; Makwara, F. 3 of 3

Abstract

This article examines how Nigerian migrant traders in Harare's Downtown informal economic spaces navigated the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic through the formation and sustenance of diverse social networks. Despite government-imposed lockdowns and mobility restrictions aimed at curbing the virus, these migrants employed church-based support, rotating savings groups, alliances with local Zimbabwean traders, and relationships with state officials and illegal currency traders to sustain their businesses and livelihoods. The study highlights the role of social capital—bonding, bridging, and linking networks—in enabling migrants to adapt to socio-economic disruptions, revealing how uncertainty can catalyze innovative social practices and future-oriented strategies. It underscores the Downtown area as a dynamic site of entrepreneurial resilience and intercultural conviviality amid pandemic-induced precarity.

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of Asian & African Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.). 2025/05, Vol. 60, Issue 3, p1710
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Geography and Cartography
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0021-9096
  • DOI:10.1177/00219096231197770
  • Accession Number:184467424
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of Asian & African Studies (Sage Publications, Ltd.) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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