Rising Prices Deepen the Hardships of Informal Sector Workers in Sudan

The lives of thousands of workers in Sudan’s informal sector have turned into an ongoing struggle for survival, as the war has driven up prices, crippled economic activity and reduced the number of customers.

From selling kisra bread and spices to tailoring, loading goods, and selling tea and dairy products, testimonies from citizens featured in a report by Al Jazeera’s digital platforms reveal the extent of the economic pressure imposed by the crisis on some of the most basic sources of livelihood.

Fathia Adam, a seller of kisra bread and spices, said prices were affordable a year ago and she was able to make a living. However, she can no longer afford to purchase the supplies she needs because of the excessive increase in commodity prices.

She noted that the gap between her selling prices and purchasing costs has widened considerably, leaving profits consumed by daily expenses before she even gets home.

Tailor Ahmed Osman described the situation as extremely difficult, saying he now works on the streets every day, whereas he previously took Fridays off.

He explained that moving his business to the street was not a choice, but rather an attempt to find new customers amid declining demand for buying clothes and tailoring services due to rising prices.

The report concludes that informal sector workers are now forced to work longer hours as a necessity rather than a choice, yet these additional hours do not compensate for declining profits.

Workers also stress that the gap between purchasing costs and selling prices is narrowing day by day, making it almost impossible for them to meet their household needs.