A Dissertation Submitted for Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for Award of the
Degree of Masters of Business Administration in Corporate Management
(MBA- CM) of Mzumbe University
This research sought to examine factors that affect growth of widows’ SMEs in
Tanzania. The Specific objectives were, to identify key factors leading to the failure
and the influence of socio-economic factors on the performance of widows’ SMEs;
to assess the contribution of widow’s SMEs on family income and; to determine the
influence of socio-economic factors on performance of widows’ SMEs. The study
used mixed methods, survey, focus group discussion method and key informative
interview to collection data from 30 sampled widows from the “Malkia Wajane”
Association, in Pugu Dar es Salaam. Data were analyzed by using five criteria Likert
Scale descriptive statistics with an aid of SPSS program. The findings revealed that,
most of sampled widow entrepreneurs’ SMEs faced financial hurdles on capital for
start or expansion of businesses. High loans interest rates charged by financial
institutions and uninviting loans conditions were the major bottlenecks to widows’
SMEs. Most widows lack managerial skills and financial literacy despite some
entrepreneurship trainings at their disposal. Poor education background made some
difficulties for the widows to comprehend with trainings for management of
businesses. Furthermore, discrimination and being depicted as killers of husband
made it difficult to market their products especially within their location. The study
recommends that interest rates should be reduced so that loans can be paid on time.
The government should assist and give financial supports to widow entrepreneurs as
for youths and disabled in order to upturn their businesses. The study concludes that
the use of technology by widow entrepreneurs is very useful in reaching customers in
this Modern world. If widow’s entrepreneurs are facilitated with financial assistances
and good business environments, they would significantly expand their business and
thus contribute more to the economic growth and wellbeing of widows’ families.