This paper explores the role of multilingualism in the informal economy with particular consideration of trade at Malela Market in Mufulira, Zambia. Being a mining town, the areas surrounding Malela Market comprise people of different ethnicities who have migrated in search of employment and business opportunities. The study is guided by two actionable objectives; to identify languages that are commonly used as languages of trade at Malela Market in Mufulira; and to establish the role of multilingualism in facilitating trade at Malela Market in Mufulira. The Communication Accommodation Theory (CAT) underpins this study. The interpretivist paradigm was taken and the qualitative approach underpinned this study. As a case study, data were collected through observations and semi-structured interviews. A total of 25 respondents were interviewed and data was analyzed thematically. The findings show that multilingualism plays a critical role in trade. It has been established that the study area is a multilingual market flooded with not only local languages and the officially recognized language of instruction but, even some foreign languages such as Lingala and Swahili. The study also establishes that being multilingual as a trader is perceived as an advantage, and brings a sense of pride and belonging. On the part of the customers, the study establishes that when a trader speaks their language, they feel more welcome and gain trust in that person and this sense makes them want to buy from that particular person. It is further established that the language situation in the study area results in the rise of the phenomenon of translanguaging and code-switching. The study reveals that although there are multiple languages, they can be grouped based on frequency of use and the most frequently used such as Bemba and English can be translanguaged among others. Finally, the ability to communicate with people of various ethnicities influences the economic performance in the informal economic area.