Can Zimbabwe use its informal economy as a means for sustainable development in the current reconstruction process

ABSTRACTSince the onset of the economic crisis, Zimbabwe has developed a very vibrantinformal sector. Due to the closure of numerous industries, many have lost their jobsin the formal sector and as a means of survival, have had to engage with the informaleconomy. Various scholars have stated that the informal sector has become theunofficial backbone of the economy. However, with the formation of the unityGovernment in February 2009, the new Government is committed to nationalreconstruction leading to sustainable development. Therefore, the aim of thisresearch is to highlight the importance of the informal sector as one of the tools thatcan be used to drive economic growth in the country. As a sector that has played afundamental role in the country since 1990, this research aims to locate this sector inthe current debates in the ongoing reconstruction process and make the linkbetween the informal sector and sustainable development.