Silver Economy Start-Ups: Exploring the Motivations, Barriers, and Support Needs of Elderly Entrepreneurs in the Informal Sector of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Jabez Moyo

doi:10.63726/jmsit.v2i1.423

Authors

Jabez Moyo Lupane State University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63726/jmsit.v2i1.423

Keywords:

interpretivism,, elderly entrepreneurship,, silver economy,, informal sector,, Bulawayo

Abstract

This study explored the emerging phenomenon of elderly entrepreneurship within the informal sector of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, through the lens of the interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative research approach. Anchored in the context of the silver economy, the research investigates the motivations, barriers, and support needs of entrepreneurs aged fifty (50) years and above who engage in small-scale, informal business ventures. Using purposive sampling, thirty (30) elderly entrepreneurs were selected for an in-depth semi-structured interviews to elicit rich, subjective insights into their lived experiences. The interpretivist stance guided the inquiry towards understanding how personal histories, social networks, and contextual realities shape the entrepreneurial behaviour of older adults in a developing economy. The findings revealed that motivations are largely driven by necessity, social inclusion, and a desire for self-reliance, while barriers include limited access to finance, declining health, and age-related discrimination. Despite these challenges, many participants demonstrated resilience and creativity, leveraging on social capital and accumulated experience to sustain their ventures. The study underscores the need for policy frameworks and support mechanisms that recognise the economic and social contributions of older entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe’s informal sector. By illuminating the nuanced meanings elderly individuals attach to entrepreneurship, this research contributes to an expanding discourse on ageing, economic participation, and inclusive development within the African urban contexts.

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