Aspects of the informal economic sector of Juba southern Sudan

Abstract

This thesis is a first step towards the description and investigation of informal sector activity in Juba, capital of the Southern Region of Sudan. The major theoretical themes to be found in the literature on the informal sector are discussed with particular reference to their applicability in the Juba situation. As the Southern Sudan is a relatively unresearched area, an overview of the Region is given, and various socio-economic features of the town described)to provide adequate background material to complement a field study of one market in Juba - Konyo-Konyo- a major centre of the town's informal sector activities. Investigation at the small scale level of the market resulted in the collection of data unobtainable from larger scale research, such as the census, and enables a detailed picture of such activity to be drawn. It is concluded that in the light of present research, Juba's informal sector is an indispensable part of life in the town and its surrounding rural areas. In the current difficult economic situation, which is unlikely to change given present constraints for a considerable time to come, the informal sector is seen as a phenomenon which will continue to absorb larger numbers of workers (20-25% of the town's labour force), and serve the majority of the town's population.