A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for Award of
the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Corporate Management) of
Mzumbe University
The study on the role of micro financial institutions in the growth of Women
Entrepreneurs (WEs) in Tanzania was conducted in Dar es Salaam. The objective of
the study were; to examine the roles of micro financial Institution in the growth of
women entrepreneurs; to analyze the impact of MFI loans on livelihood of women
entrepreneurs and; to identify barriers facing women entrepreneurs in securing loans
from Microfinance Institutions and to determine strategies needed to improve loan
provision to women entrepreneurs.
A sample of 120 respondents was used, in collecting data, the study used
questionnaires and interview guide, secondary data also were used. The study found,
there is a need for microfinance institutions to enhance loan provision, loans services
improves services provided by women entrepreneurs. Moreover, the study found,
high interest rate is the challenge for women entrepreneurs in accessing loans
services from MFIs. Finally, it was also observed that, lowering interest rate could
improve loans accessibility to small businesses.
The study concludes that the barrier facing women entrepreneurs in securing loans
from MFIs is high interest rate, that the failure to repay loan is one of the types of
risks considered by lenders in financing women owned investments in Tanzania. The
study also recommends that, MFIs and other business stakeholders should increase
the supply of premises, equipped production facilities and capital to spearhead an
initiative to make production facilities available in sectors in which women are
predominant to give women access to production premises and appropriate
technologies that will enable them to expand their enterprises.