Abstract:
This study focused on the Second-hand trade and its impacts on the growing textile sector in Tanzania. In 2016, the value of world used clothing trade rose from $1.8bn in 2006 to $3.7bn and that Sub-Saharan Africa imported around 20 per cent of the world’s used clothing far more than any other region in the world. Tanzania with other members of EAC agreed to impose huge tariffs on SHC imports and introduce a complete ban of importation by 2019. However, having been threatened by economic sanction from the USA, member states retreated their move and the future of the textile sector is still undefined. The study applied descriptive design involving qualitative and quantitative methods. Data were collected through interviews, observation and documentary reviews. The study was conducted in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam Cities using both purposive and stratified sampling techniques. The data collected were analysed using content and thematic analysis including organizing the data into categories and themes. The study found that SHC is a lucrative business in Tanzania and nearly 80 per cent of respondents use SHCs and as a result, the ban of SHC trade is not a preferred aspect. It is further agreed that SHC trade impacts the growth of the textile sector negatively but the failure of the sector cannot wholly be attributed to SHC trade alone. The study recommends for improvement of the cotton agriculture, re-regulation of the SHC trade and enforcing special regulations on textile and clothing manufacturing sector.
