Staying Strong: Dar es Salaam's Businesses Defy Floods

In Dar es Salaam's bustling cityscape, there's a unique story of resilience unfolding in the flood-prone areas, particularly in Kigogo. Here, many small and medium-sized businesses, also known as MSMEs, operate amidst the challenges posed by floods. Despite the risk, these businesses seem to thrive, raising questions about their bounce-back capacity. Unlike other regions where the recovery of MSMEs from disasters is well-researched, Tanzania trails behind. This piece seeks to bridge that gap by diving into how these businesses in Dar es Salaam recover from floods. Researchers deployed a mix of techniques, including questionnaires for 202 MSME owners and various data analyses. They applied content analysis and a logistic regression model to identify critical factors that boost recovery. The findings highlighted the significance of a robust business plan, personal savings, profit reserves, and government support. Other important elements included family and friend support, business continuity training, years of operation, pre-disaster mitigation efforts, the extent of facility damage, and running multiple businesses. The study further conducted a SWOT analysis to provide a deeper understanding of the business environment. This analysis offered valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and environmentalists to bolster recovery efforts and foster sustainable development. By grasping these factors, the community can collectively enhance the resilience of MSMEs in Dar es Salaam against future floods. Let's think: what can we do to support these businesses?