Surviving Displacement: Sudanese Lives and Hustles in Cairo’s Informal Economy
Displacement has pushed thousands of Sudanese to seek refuge in Cairo, where they face legal uncertainty, economic hardship, and the daily struggle to rebuild their lives through informal work and resilience.
1. Introduction: A Journey into the Heart of Cairo’s Informal Economy
Cairo, the throbbing capital of Egypt, has become an unlikely host to a growing community of Sudanese migrants. As political instability and economic hardship in Sudan drive waves of displacement, many Sudanese find themselves in Cairo navigating the city’s informal economy through a blend of small business, day labour, street trading, and digital hustles. This article sheds light on how they survive, adapt, and build new lives, offering insights into displacement, migration, informal work, and resilience.
2. Historical Context: Migration from Sudan to Egypt
- Roots of the Movement
- Sudan and Egypt share centuries of ties—cultural, religious, and political.
- Recent decades have seen political upheaval and conflict in Sudan pushing people north.
- Cairo is seen as both refuge and opportunity.
- Push and Pull Factors
- Ongoing conflict, economic collapse, and environmental distress in Sudan compel migration.
- Egypt’s proximity, shared language, and established Sudanese networks act as magnets.
- Scale and Timing
- Migration surges align with major crises in Sudan—Darfur conflict in the early 2000s, the 2011 coups, and the 2023 civil war.
- Cairo now hosts tens of thousands of Sudanese—certain estimates suggest well over 50,000, many living and working informally.
3. Hustling Defined: What Is Informal Work for Sudanese in Cairo?
“Hustling” refers to flexible, often short‑term, unregulated forms of income generation. Among Sudanese in Cairo, hustling takes many forms:
- Street vending: selling snacks, tissues, phone accessories or bottled water in public spaces.
- Domestic day work: house cleaning, caregiving, and errand services.
- Construction day labour: casual manual jobs on building sites.
- Driving and delivery: motorcycle taxi, rideshare, food delivery with informal vehicles.
- Digital freelancing: online content creation, graphic design, copywriting, low-key remote jobs via platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Small kiosks or pop‑up shops: managing micro‑shops near metro stations or markets.
These hustles are typically low‑capital and high‑risk: earnings are unpredictable, legal status often precarious, and competition stiff.
4. Case Studies: Real Stories of Hustling in Cairo
Amina, 29 – street food seller near Maspero
At just 29, Amina has become a familiar face near Cairo’s bustling Maspero district. Forced to flee her hometown of Omdurman amid a wave of political unrest, she arrived in Egypt with little more than hope and a few Egyptian pounds. With resilience as her currency, she began selling cups of freshly sliced fruit and bottled water along the Nile’s busy promenades, catering to passersby seeking quick refreshment.
Her entrepreneurial instincts and unwavering determination helped her grow her street stall into a modest food operation. Today, Amina offers homemade falafel sandwiches—affordable and flavorful meals that have earned her a loyal stream of customers. Despite her daily hustle and growing success, she still operates without a formal license, navigating the grey zones of Cairo’s informal economy.
According to the International Labour Organization, informal work remains a dominant source of income for millions across the region, particularly for displaced populations who face legal and financial barriers to formal employment. Amina is no exception. She has managed to reunite her younger siblings in Cairo, taking on both the role of breadwinner and caregiver. Her long-term goal is to legitimize her work by registering for a small catering license—a step that remains financially and bureaucratically out of reach for now.
Like many Sudanese displaced by conflict, Amina walks a tightrope between survival and aspiration in a city that offers both opportunity and indifference.
Yasir, 32 – day labourer in Nasr City construction
Yasir migrated in mid‑2024 to escape economic collapse. He approached informal labour hubs where contractors hire workers day‑to‑day. He earns roughly EGP 200–250 per day on good days but lacks formal contract, insurance, or benefits. Injuries or police raids can interrupt work. Yet, Yasir invests savings into occasional overtime shifts and sends remittances to his family back in Sudan.
Sara, 24 – remote freelancer and English tutor
After obtaining internet access at a coworking café, Sara leverages her bilingual fluency to tutor Arabic‑speaking Egyptians in English and translate texts online. She also takes micro‑task jobs—transcribing, editing, or blog‑post writing—earning US dollars via platforms like Payoneer or PayPal. Compared to street hustles, her digital income is slightly more stable, though limited by remote access and platform thresholds.
5. Challenges Faced by Sudanese Hustlers in Cairo
Legal Status and Documentation
Most Sudanese arrive under temporary protection or visa arrangements, which may expire quickly. Without formal permits, they cannot open bank accounts, access official work, or rent legally. Fear of police or immigration enforcement means they often avoid hospitals, welfare services, or legal aid.
Economic Vulnerability
- Irregular Income: Daily wages fluctuate dramatically with weather, holidays, political events.
- Exploitation: Street vendors are fined or chased away; day labourers may be cheated on wages by intermediaries.
- High costs: Rent, transportation, bribes, phone credit, and remittances take a big share of small earnings.
Social Marginalization
Sudanese migrants are often stigmatized due to perceptions of illegal status or competition for work. Language is rarely a barrier since both communities speak Arabic, but cultural differences and xenophobic stereotypes affect social integration. Access to networks beyond the migration community is limited.
Health and Safety
Many work in hazardous contexts—street heat, construction risks, poor housing conditions. Without insurance or healthcare access, injury or illness can lead to acute financial crisis.
6. Coping Mechanisms and Resilience Strategies
Community Networks and Solidarity
Sudanese migrants rely on informal networks for housing, childcare, early warnings of police raids, and shared transport. Migrant-led associations sometimes pool savings to support emergency needs or small loans.
Micro‑saving and Rotating Funds
Informal savings groups (commonly known as SOSO, or “Susu”) help individuals deposit small daily sums; funds rotate on a weekly or monthly cycle, enabling occasional lump‑sum access for rent, emergencies, or investment in tools like a sewing machine or food cart.
Adaptability and Diversification
Many hustlers combine multiple income streams: e.g. daytime street vending plus evening digital tutoring; weekend day‑labour plus weekday freelancing. This diversity mitigates risk when one source dries up.
Skill‑Building and Education
A few individuals invest in online courses—language, coding, digital marketing—to transition toward more formal freelancing or local registration. Though access is limited by internet and devices, those who push forward sometimes find higher‑paid remote income.
7. The Economics of Hustling: Income, Expenses, and Aspirations
Understanding Earnings
- Street vendors and day labourers typically earn EGP 150–250 daily, after basic costs.
- Digital freelancers can earn USD 5–10 per hour depending on platform and skill.
- Monthly earnings vary but often fall between USD 200–400 (including remittances).
Balancing Expenses
- Shared rooms cost roughly EGP 1,200–1,800/month in inner‑city areas.
- Food, phone data, transport and remittance fees take another EGP 1,200–2,000.
- Health issues or fines can absorb weeks of income.
Goals and Dreams
Many migrants strive to:
- Formalise a small business (e.g., licensed food cart)
- Bring over more family members
- Open formal remote‑working channels
- Return to Sudan someday, with savings or small enterprise capital
8. Implications for Policy, Aid, and Local Integration
Host Community Support
Egyptian civil society—local NGOs, community clinics, faith‑based groups—play critical roles: providing documentation help, language workshops, medical aid, vocational training.
Government Policy
Most migrants fall into legal limbo. Advocacy groups call for:
- Temporary work permits tied to informal sectors
- Registration systems protecting street vendors
- Access to basic healthcare and education regardless of visa status
International Assistance
UN agencies and international NGOs occasionally fund programs for migrant self‑reliance: small grants, business training, digital literacy to access global freelance markets.
9. Digital Possibilities: Remote Income as a Path Forward
Platform Access and Payment
Freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Minty connect capable individuals to international clients. Payment via digital wallets or mobile money can bypass local banking restrictions.
Challenges in Practice
- Strict documentation and verification requirements
- Need for consistent internet and computing access
- Language fluency and skill levels determine earnings ceiling
Nevertheless, the digital route offers relative independence from local controls and the potential to earn in foreign currency, hedging against Egyptian inflation.
10. Social Integration and Cultural Exchange
Shared Cairo Realities
In marketplaces, cafés, and mosques, Sudanese and Egyptians interact daily—through commerce, food, football matches, cultural events. Over time, friendships, mixed‑community households, and joint celebrations take shape.
Cultural Retention
Sudanese hustlers maintain ties through music, food, and community gatherings, while also adopting Egyptian customs. Sudani restaurants, coffee shops, and Sudanese‑run businesses often become bridges between communities.
Youth and Education
Younger migrants attend local schools where feasible, blending childhoods between Sudan and Egypt. Some find scholarships or support to attend universities or vocational institutes—though many must juggle study and hustling income.
11. Human Stories: Voices of Hustling and Hope
Sharing voices brings texture to the statistics:
- “When rains washed out my fruit cart, I stayed another week selling clothes I borrowed from a friend—whatever the city needs.” – Ahmed, 27
- “I never imagined typing words online for clients overseas could be my job. I feel proud when I log onto Upwork and see payments in dollars coming in.” – Mariam, 22
- “Sometimes we gather and share laughter and tears. We are strangers here, but we become family in the struggle.” – group of women street vendors near Tahrir Square
12. Toward Sustainable Futures: What Comes Next?
Policy Recommendations
- Establish temporary work cards allowing legal day labour and vending
- Legalize designated informal market zones for migrant street businesses
- Facilitate migrant access to microfinance and digital tools
NGO Initiatives
- Provide skill development programs (digital, language, crafts) targeted at displaced youth and women
- Create peer mentorship networks connecting successful migrants to newcomers
- Ensure health outreach clinics specifically include undocumented migrants
Community Leadership
Sudanese-led community groups can evolve into advocacy networks—documenting migrant needs, liaising with authorities, organizing savings groups, and promoting inclusive dialogue.
13. Conclusion: Resilient Hustle in an Urban Landscape
Sudanese hustling in Cairo is an act of survival, adaptation, and ambition. From fruit cups by the Nile to remote English tutoring, these displaced individuals demonstrate remarkable resilience. Their hands—selling, translating, building, teaching—chart their own pathways forward even amid legal uncertainty and social exclusion.
By viewing them not merely as displaced people but as active urban actors, we shift our focus—from crisis to possibility. With better access, fairer policies, and collaborative efforts, many Sudanese hustlers in Cairo might grow from micro‑entrepreneurs into formal business owners, digital professionals, or essential contributors to Egypt’s informal economy. Their journey continues: hustling today, hoping for a more secure tomorrow.
