Mozambique shoe dealers flood Zimbabwe

In the bustling streets of Marondera's central business district, a 23-year-old Mozambican national, Moses Ferinando, makes his way through the crowd, an array of shoes - mostly sneakers - strapped to his body. Despite his broken vernacular and the curious gazes of passersby, Ferinando is undeterred, calling out to potential customers as he offers affordable footwear.

"I am here to sell my shoes. I entered Zimbabwe via Nyanga and will only return to Mozambique after all my wares are sold out," Ferinando told NewsDay Weekender. "It is not about being here illegally; it's about satisfying the market. Zimbabweans love sneakers, and that's why we come here."

Ferinando is part of a growing wave of Mozambican traders who have found their way into Zimbabwe's informal market, flooding the country with shoes at prices that local businesses struggle to match. The porous borders between Zimbabwe and Mozambique have become a gateway for these traders, creating a situation where hundreds of informal Mozambican traders enter the country with goods - ranging from stylish sneakers to sturdy boots - without the necessary documentation.

"These shoes are from Beira, Mozambique. I bring around 80 pairs, and they sell out within three weeks," Ferinando explained. "I can't complain; I have a steady market in Zimbabwe."

The influx of Mozambican traders is particularly concentrated in eastern Zimbabwe, with towns like Nyamapanda, Mutoko, Murewa, Macheke, and Headlands becoming hotspots for this booming trade. The ease of crossing the border is part of the reason for the increase in informal trade. A police officer at the Nyamapanda border post, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the situation, saying, "It's easy to cross from Mozambique into Zimbabwe, especially in areas like Rushinga, Mudzi, Nyanga, and Mutare."

However, the arrival of these traders has sparked frustration among local business owners, especially in towns like Marondera. The Mozambican traders, who sell shoes at prices as low as US$5 per pair, have become fierce competitors to established local businesses, driving many to closure. One such victim is Powersales, a prominent shoe and clothing retailer in Marondera, which recently shut down, citing the growing competition from illegal traders.

Emmanuel Danha, director of the Marondera Urban Business Forum, raised concerns over the economic impact of this influx of foreign traders. "Local businesses are suffering," he said. "We're witnessing businesses closing at an alarming rate because of uncontrolled trading by these Mozambican traders. They move around selling shoes and other goods at very cheap prices, which local traders simply cannot compete with."

Danha called for urgent action from authorities to address the issue, arguing that law enforcement needs to step in to regulate the influx of illegal traders. "There are traders right in front of shops selling the same wares, and it's driving established businesses out of the market. This is unsustainable," he added.

Despite the legal challenges, the Mozambican traders, including Ferinando, are determined to continue their business, capitalizing on Zimbabwe's demand for affordable footwear in the face of an ongoing economic crisis. According to ZimTrade, Zimbabwe imported approximately 12.8 million pairs of shoes in 2023, further highlighting the demand for affordable, imported footwear.

The issue of porous borders is not limited to shoes. The Mozambican corridor has long been a route for the illegal trade of second-hand clothes into Zimbabwe, despite the country's ban on the sale of such goods. This has led to concerns among law enforcement agencies, with police in Mashonaland East province saying they are investigating the rise of Mozambican nationals flooding eastern towns.

In response to these challenges, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Moses Mugadza revealed that the government is considering deploying drones along the border to strengthen control and prevent smuggling. "We are keen to ensure the protection of our economy and prevent the illegal influx of goods," Mugadza said, emphasizing that border security was key to the region's economic growth.

For now, Ferinando and his fellow traders enjoy the booming trade in Zimbabwe, even as they operate on the fringes of legality. With no end in sight to Zimbabwe's economic troubles, the flow of informal Mozambican traders into the country seems likely to continue, sparking both competition and controversy in equal measure.