https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/59 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:38:33 GMT 2026-04-09T10:38:33Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7012 Title: A systematic review of informal cross-border trade in African economies towards vision 2030 Authors: Dzawanda, Beauty; Matsa, Mark Makomborero; Gumbo, Elvis Batsirai; Runokunda, Juliet Chidochashe; Melanie D. Nicolau Abstract: Informal cross-border trade (ICBT) is spreading across Africa driven by high poverty levels and influenced by factors such as climate change, political instability and economic marginalisation among others. This desktop-based review synthesised the existing literature to explore the dynamics of ICBT in Africa. Findings reveal that while formal trade remains limited, ICBT thrives due to weak economic integration frameworks like SADC, ECOWAS and COMESA which often overlook informal trade. Biased policy reforms, retrenchments and exclusion from formal markets further exacerbate informality. ICBT significantly contributes to Africa’s GDP, particularly as women who represent over 70% of participants engage in this trade due to marginalisation from the formal economy. Although both men and women participate in ICBT, the later tend to face serious vulnerabilities, including health risks such as HIV/AIDS, sexual exploitation and harassment often as a means of evading taxes or gaining access to services. The trade includes a wide array of goods both legal and illicit facilitated by corruption and inadequate border infrastructure. Despite its challenges, ICBT remains a vital livelihood strategy for many Africans. Rather than seeking to eliminate it, the article advocates for the development of a framework to formalise, regulate and safeguard ICBT while aligning it with sustainable development goals. Enhancing border infrastructure, gender-sensitive policies and institutional support can help maximise ICBT’s benefits while mitigating associated risks, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Africa. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/7012 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z Dzawanda, Beauty Matsa, Mark Makomborero Gumbo, Elvis Batsirai Runokunda, Juliet Chidochashe Melanie D. Nicolau https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6897 Title: The Contribution of Internal Savings and Lending as a Strategy to Improve Household Food Security in Gutu District Authors: Marambanyika, Thomas; Murakata, Penlutha; Musasa, Tatenda Abstract: Food insecurity is a common problem in many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, Zimbabwe is not an exception. Techniques of improvisation, innovation and creativity have been widely adopted, as a way to curb risk of food insecurity. This research evaluated the contribution of Internal Savings and Lending (ISAL) as a strategy to improve household food security in Gutu District, Zimbabwe. A mixed methods research design was adopted to provide strengths that offset the weaknesses of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. A total of 51 questionnaires were administered to household beneficiaries together with semi-structured interviews conducted with purposefully selected key informants such as Zimbabwe Aids Prevention Project-University of Zimbabwe (ZAPP-UZ) Program officer and Field coordinator. Document review was done to augment data from questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data obtained through the questionnaire survey and key informant interviews was analysed using the grounded theory method. The study findings revealed that ISAL had a significant positive impact on improving household food security. Evidence of improved household income has been shown through increased access to readily disposable income to cater for household needs, improvement in dietary diversity as well as establishment of food security projects. Mistrust and poverty are some of the challenges affecting participation of members at household and cooperative level. The study recommends the need for ZAPP-UZ personnel to train community volunteers to assist in consistent monitoring and evaluation of the program and conflict resolution mechanism. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6897 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Marambanyika, Thomas Murakata, Penlutha Musasa, Tatenda https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6876 Title: Modelling soil erosion risk in rural sub-catchments of Zimbabwe using RUSLE, remote sensing and machine learning Authors: Musasa,Tatenda; Shoko, Cletah; Marambanyika, Thomas; Dube, Timothy Abstract: The study modelled soil erosion risk in the Shashe and Tugwi–Zibagwe rural sub-catchments in Zimbabwe. To derive land use and land cover (LULC) thematic maps for the years 2016, 2020 and 2023, analysis ready data (Sentinel 2) were applied using the Random Forest (RF) algorithm in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was applied to understand the drivers of soil loss in the sub-catchments. The rainfall erosivity (R), soil erodibility (K), length slope (LS), crop management (C) and conservation support practice factors (P) were derived in GEE and applied as input to determine soil erosion risk. The findings of the study show that, the Shashe sub-catchment had mean soil losses of 15.75, 45.25, and 23.51 t ha−1 year−1 for 2016, 2020, and 2023, respectively. In the Tugwi-Zibagwe sub-catchment, the mean soil losses were 11.62, 18.45, and 37.34 t ha−1 year−1 for the same years. The results also show that LULC changes were one of the major drivers to soil loss in the rural dominated sub-catchments. Results further show that, the area under cultivation was exposed to severe erosion which averaged 16–48 t ha−1 year−1 when compared to other land covers in the study areas. In conclusion, of all the two sub-catchments the Shashe experiences severe soil loss than Tugwi-Zibagwe due to variations in land use and covers. Soil loss also tends to be considerably high in areas along drainage networks and where vegetation clearance is evident. These findings highlight the pressing need for up-to-date soil management approaches to improve soil conservation in rural dominated sub-catchments of Zimbabwe. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6876 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Musasa,Tatenda Shoko, Cletah Marambanyika, Thomas Dube, Timothy https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6859 Title: Land use and land cover changes in sub-catchments of Zimbabwe and their implications on wetland and catchment soil water conditions Authors: Mupepi, Oshneck; Marambanyika, Thomas; Matsa, Mark; Dube, Timothy Abstract: This study evaluated land use and land cover changes in the Shashe and Tugwi and Zibagwe sub-catchments from 2017 to 2023, with a focus on their impacts on dry season wetland extent and condition. Utilizing the Google Earth Engine Cloud Computing platform, Sentinel-2 Level 1C data were processed using Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification algorithm to analyse these changes. The Soil Moisture Active Passive level 4 (SMAP L4) soil moisture and the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were computed to determine the influence of catchment level land cover change on soil moisture conditions. This study considered the influence of land cover on wetland conditions and catchment level soil moisture levels which got minimum attention in previous wetland studies. The study highlights that bare land in Tugwi and Zibagwe increased more rapidly (601.1 %) than in the drier Shashe sub-catchment. However, the wetland area decreased more in Shashe, indicating greater wetland degradation despite the slight difference (0.4 %). The analysis revealed that wetlands experienced an overall 11.8 % loss in Shashe and 11.4 % loss in Tugwi-Zibagwe. Results indicate that 5.2 %, 3.4 % and 2.3 % of the wetland area was replaced by grassland, shrubland and bare land respectively in Tugwi and Zibagwe combined whilst 4.8 %, 3.6 % and 2.32 % of the wetland area were replaced by bare land, grassland and shrubland respectively in Shashe. Statistically significant weak positive correlations were confirmed between soil moisture and NDVI in Tugwi and Zibagwe combined (r = 0.28; p = 0.04) and Shashe (r = 0.43; p = 0.02). Rainfall had stronger correlation with soil moisture in Tugwi and Zibagwe (r = 0.43; p = 0.19) and Shashe (r = 0.62; p = 0.38) which were not statistically significant indicating more influence of land cover on soil moisture than rainfall. The findings accentuate the critical need for sustainable land use practices to mitigate the adverse effects on natural land cover and wetland ecosystems. The rapid expansion of bare land and reduction in wetlands underscore the pressing challenges posed by land cover changes, particularly in regions experiencing increasing aridity. Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6859 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Mupepi, Oshneck Marambanyika, Thomas Matsa, Mark Dube, Timothy