Support to informal women entrepreneurs and their business: a case of Musakanya market, Mpika district.
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Date
2023
Authors
Kapaso, Natonse C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Using a triangulation mixed methods design, this study looked at how support that women
entrepreneurs in the informal sector receive affects their businesses. The objectives that guided the
study were: to establish the nature of support that informal women entrepreneurs receive; to
examine how the support to informal women entrepreneurs enhances their business; and to identify
the challenges that informal women entrepreneurs face in accessing business support. The study
total sample size was 81 and the participants were selected using purposive and systematic random
sampling techniques. The findings showed that majority (80%) of the informal women
entrepreneurs at Musakanya market depend on informal support which comes in the form of
financing and hands on support from friends, family, spouses, self-funding and chilimba. The study
also showed that the support which has been received by the informal women entrepreneurs has to
an extent enhanced their businesses in as far as improving business savings, profit margins,
business sustenance, quality of decision making and livelihoods are concerned. In as far as the
challenges, results revealed the following challenges; high repayment rates of loans, no
advertisement of available support by government and other stakeholders, cumbersome
application process, infrequent and inconsistent support, ruined friendships, unreliability and
insufficient funding. The study concluded that the women entrepreneurs have relied on informal
support channels to sustain their businesses because the formal support is unstable and unreliable.
Additionally, the study further concluded that the women’s businesses have been enhanced to a
minimal extent as a result of the nature of support received. The study recommended that
Government programs and projects meant to support informal women businesses should be
predictable and viable so that many women run businesses can benefit from the support, lower
repayment rates on the loans and simplified application process for business support to allow for
equal opportunity among potential applicants.
Key Words: Support, Women entrepreneurs, Business, Informal and Formal.
Description
Master of Art in Development studies
Keywords
Businesswomen. , Entrepreneurship. , Women entrepreneurs.