Paper short abstract:

This paper conceptualise the broad scope of repertoires manoeuvring economic governance through anticipation as "popular insurance", by exploring hedging strategies at play in Dar es Salaam, a city where the access to finance is highly constrained, savings are scarce; yet investment are made.

Paper long abstract:

Short after moving out of the pink house at Diamond Street in Kinondoni, a heavy flow to and fro the compound next door begun. Vitz, IST, and Ractis - the full range of Toyota's small car models - jammed the narrow street located in the central district of Dar es Salaam. The neighbours complained. Who were these young, well-dressed people suddenly shaking up this quiet corner of town?

After weeks of inquiry, I learned that the house operated under false pretence of hosting a local university branch, teaching business market management. In reality a group of young opportunistic urbanites were running a pyramid scheme, attracting members from near and far to try their luck. But as sudden as they had arrived, they left. On the dusty street, the only sign of their existence was a bunch of posters left behind; "mood board" collages depicting the member's "dream lives." Bold interiors, paper money, cars, gemstones, and giant mansions, were glued to colourful sheets of paper.

Spectacular moves of imaginary, as if images of wealth would miraculously attract real wealth without actual work performed, shows how high the stakes are, investments speculative, and the failure always lurking, in cities today.

Drawing on 17 months of fieldwork in Dar es Salaam, I will conceptualise the broad scope of repertoires manoeuvring economic governance through anticipation as "popular insurance", by exploring hedging strategies at play in a city where the access to finance is highly constrained, savings are scarce; yet investment are constantly made.