Tackling Informality among Harare's Underground Entrepreneurs

Tackling Informality among Harare's Underground Entrepreneurs is a book which looks at the benefits of, and barriers to formalization among the informal entrepreneurs in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. There are a number of people engaged in informal entrepreneurship and the level of their activities make them an important component of the national economy. Authorities have reacted to this informality by instituting punitive deterrent measures which has resulted in conflict. The book looks at the need for a better understanding of the most effective ways to tackle the underground economy in order to enable formalization. It also analyzes informal entrepreneurs' operations promoting debate among policy makers leading to considerations of the socio- economic benefits of formalization. The work establishes that informal entrepreneurs in Harare appreciate the benefits associated with formalization of their businesses but lament the existence of barriers. The book recommends that, instead of authorities adopting pursue and punish approach, they create an enabling environment through removing barriers to formalization, introducing incentives and doing awareness campaigns.