| dc.description.abstract | The purpose of this study is to identify the major
problems inherent in the Africanization of distributive trad8
in general, and small-scale retail trade in particular and to
assess measures formulated by the government and the
manufacturers to alleviate these problems. It is based on the
assumption that the government will continue to ensure that
non-citizen traders are replaced by African and that this
exercise will go on for at least another three years.
This study is based on the hypothesis that:
1. Without government restrictive measures on the business of
non-citizen traders and complementary assistance programmes
designed to help small-scale African businessmen to
establish themselves in distributive trade, it would have
taken over twenty years to reduce the dominance of
non-citizen traders.
2. That these two government measures have not been sufficiently
sensitive to cultural problems inhibiting the growth and
success of small-scale African shopkeepers.
3. That the assistance programmes, finance and extension
services,' tailored to the needs of small-scale African
shopkeepers are the only effective solution to alleviating
their economic and cultural problems and promoting their
development.
This study consists of eleven chapters, divided into three
parts. The first part examines the three major aspects of
retail trade in Kenya. First, the major characteristics of
small-scale African shopkeepers, including size, ownership, and
general education of the African shopkeepers drawn from three
different areas of Kenya--metropolitan, urban, and rural--are
Slli~arized. Secondly, three important and related features of
the transitional stage of development which African traders are
experiencing are discussed: 1) the transition from traditional
relationships characterized by dependence on family ties, low
social mobility, slowness of change, and a rigid value structure
to impersonal business relationships and modern practice of
management is examined; 2) the transition from the colonial
administration which imposed rigid restriction on African
businesses .to an independent Kenya nation, where African businessmen
are vigorously promoted into business, is considered; 3) the
transition from dominance of non-citizens in the retail trade to
rapidly increasing African participation is discussed. These
three features of the transitional stage of development of the
retail trade in Kenya provide a valuable background and
perception to understanding both the role and functions of
African shopkeepers in the economic development as well as the
major problems they confront. Thirdly, the performance of the
role and functions of African shopkeepers is examined in terms
of how effectively they satisfy the needs of their customers, how
adequately they distribute goods of their suppliers, what inputs
they contribute towards economic development, and whether they
realize their goals.
The second part focuses on the major problems confronting
African shopkeepers. This study identified and described three
major problems. The first is lack of capital and credit
facilities, which was believed by most African shopkeepers and
also by those who attempted to assist them to be their major
problem. The second problem which was considered in some
details is lack of business skills and training which was
found to be a more critical problem as reflected by a high
default rate in payment of loans and low turnover in their
businesses. The third problem was identified as cultural
constraints which often inhibit growth and success of many
African shopkeepers. After identifying and examining these
problems in the context of a transitional society, practical
solutions were presented in the third part.
The third part evaluates the assistance programmes
provided to African shopkeepers by suppliers of goods and
services and by the government, in an attempt to alleviate their
economic and cultural problems. The role of suppliers is
assessed from the point of view of the needs of African
shopkeepers. Their role includes willingness to assist African
shopkeepers to improve their knowledge and capacity to meet the
modern business management often impaired by cultural
constraints. It is evident in this study that the government
provides the major shares of the assistance to African
shopkeepers. The useful Bess and effectiveness of the government
restrictive measures aimed at diminishing non-citizen traders on
one hand, and promotional programmes geared to helping African
shopkeepers to establish themselves in business are analysed in
some details. It is shown that the emphasis of the government
efforts is aimed at stimulating, guiding, and supporting the
development of African businessmen. The effectiveness and
success of all the assistance programmes is shown to depend to a
great extent on the combined effort and cooperation among African
shopkeepers, suppliers, and the government and close
coordination by those responsible.
The last chapter presents the summary of conclusions and
describes how the hypotheses set out at the beginning have been
sufficiently proven. The government restrictive measure through
the Trade Licensing Act has gotten rid of over three thousand
non-citizen traders. These have been replaced mainly by African
shopkeepers often with financial assistance of the government.
However, their performance often is impaired by lack of training.
It was shown that extension service on the business premises
was the most practical way of helping African shopkeepers to
overcome their problems. | en |
