A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Science in Economics (EPP) of Mzumbe University.
2013
Women nowadays are engaged in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises as a source
of income generation and employment. However, the return does not grow
significantly; due to a number of factors including existence of economic institutions
that affect their performance. This study centered on examining the economic
institutions that influence women investment returns in Urban District of Zanzibar.
Interviews, focus group discussion, questionnaires, survey, and documentary reviews
were methods employed to collect information of the study. Primary data of 105
women investors was used. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to
analyze both quantitative and qualitative data and Multiple Linear Regression of
Model of Ordinary Least Square was used to find out the relationship between the
variable.
The findings show that there is a statistical significance relationship between
economic institutions i.e Institution 1 (1)= interest rate, Institutions 2 (I2) =
accessibility of the market and institution 3 = entrepreneurs behavior. Other
institutions are Institution 4 (I4) = access to credit and institution 5 (I5)= level of
education. The study recommends the need for promotion of provide gender equality
in Zanzibar. This can be done by promoting this in schools, colleges, and
universities. Furthermore, the study recommends the need to educate husbands,
fathers, and brothers on the importance of allowing their wives, sisters, and daughters
to market. At the same time to establish a policy that guides women in the reduction
of family responsibility because of their importance in the economy. However,
microfinance institutions must be responsible to provide education on business skills
meanwhile women must be encouraged to attend these seminars. Micro financial
institutions like WEDTEF, SACCOSS and PRIDE need to reduce constrain on
women investors who request for loans given that they understand to need for
repaying the loan. With such strategies, women will continue applying for more
loans and repay those loans to leverage their capital to run their business efficiently