THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES IN ZAMBIA

Abstract

This article brings out discussion on the impact of COVID-19 on small scale businesses in Zambia, it analyses reports from government and other independent reports from the United Nations and the World Bank regarding Zambia’s economic performance. The article and research findings have been informed through a thorough literature review of research work and journal articles written by other scholars. The method of data collection was done through a desktop analysis of various internet sources regarding the topic. The findings indicate that the small scale businesses in Zambia are huge contributor to the overall economy of Zambia and that they depend on a robust middle class for their survival and sustainability. The findings also indicate that the over taxed middle class in Zambia might die out and subsequently the small scale businesses will slump as a results of a lack of a market for their products and services. Government in Zambia has a huge challenge to balance off government expenditure and ensuring that the economy thrives during and after the COVID-19 pandemic