Assessment of the role of micro-credit granted to women entrepreneurs towards poverty reduction the case study of pride Tanzania – Morogoro branch.
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Date
2015
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Mzumbe University
Abstract
In Tanzania previous studies have been carried out to show how financial Institutions, especially Micro finance, has tried to improve financial services to women entrepreneurs. But still the question remains, do these financial services help women entrepreneurs to reduce poverty? This study focused on the assessment of the role of micro-credit granted to women entrepreneurs in their fight against poverty and it was conducted in Morogoro Municipality using Pride Tanzania Morogoro branch as the case study. A stratified random sampling was used to ensure that different strata of women entrepreneurs are included in the study. The sample size comprised of 80 women entrepreneurs and 10 staffs from the loan department of PRIDE Tanzania – Morogoro Branch in Morogoro Municipality. Primary data were collected through the use of structured questionnaires, semi structured interviews and observation while secondary data were collected through documentary review. Descriptive analysis was conducted and through it data collected was analyzed through different tools like tables, graphs and percentages or mean. The results showed that more than 22% of respondents had their standard of living improved to better and 36% had their standard rated to good after securing loans from PRIDE. However, the study revealed that about 75% of respondents argued that the credits provided by micro-finance institutions are not enough to suffice their needs. In addition, the study identified lack of markets, high interest rates and taxes, and poor financial management and planning skills as key problems hindering women entrepreneurs from achieving their goals and reducing poverty in the society. In order to improve the micro-credit facilities offered by micro-finance institutions, the study recommended that government should formulate appropriate policies and laws that ease the access of these micro-credit to women and support training on project planning and financial management skills should be conducted to women entrepreneurs. Interest rates and other taxes associated with loan should be reduced
Description
A Dissertation Submitted to Mzumbe University as a partial Fulfilment for the Requirements of award of the Degree of Master of Science in Accounting and Finance (MSc. A&F) of Mzumbe University.
Keywords
Gender and development, Development of women entrepreneurs, Financial management-challenges , Credits and poverty reduction, Micro-credit facilities