Critical Success Factors and the Growth of Small-Scale Enterprises in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nigeria (Published)
This research looks at the Critical Success Factors that have an impact on small business growth in Nigeria, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Even though they play a crucial role in economic diversification, job creation, and poverty reduction, the majority of Nigerian small enterprises are unable to expand past the limitations imposed by several operational and structural factors. In order to promote enterprise growth in terms of revenue growth, job creation, and asset expansion based on the linkages among the study variables, the study looks at three factors: education, entrepreneurship attributes, and access to financing. The results show that while entrepreneurial traits and education showed large positive connections, access to financing and SME growth had a moderate but significant positive link.In order to promote sustainable business growth, the findings highlight the significance of a multipronged approach that incorporates financial inclusion, entrepreneurial development, and educational support. In order to increase the performance and resilience of small-scale businesses in the FCT and elsewhere, the report suggests targeted financial policies, better institutional support, and organized entrepreneurial education programs.
Keywords: Access To Finance, and entrepreneurial qualities, enterprise growth, small scale enterprises
Factors Hampering Uptake of Entrepreneurship among Persons with Impairments in Kenya: A Survey of Entrepreneurs with Impairments in Nairobi County (Review Completed - Accepted)
Bringing persons with impairments (PWIs henceforth) at par with the rest of society is a commitment enshrined in the constitution and efforts are being made by the Government to achieve this endeavor. The most suitable and effective strategy of economically empowering PWIs is encouraging them to become entrepreneurs. Despite entrepreneurship being the most suitable way of including PWIs in National development and self-reliance only a small fraction (one third) of this group of people are undertaking some form of business. This is due to the argument that, Entrepreneurship is not an easy activity especially with PWIs because they face various problems at the time of establishing the business.
The main objective of this study was to identify factors hampering uptake of entrepreneurship among persons with impairments in Kenya. The study population was entrepreneurs with impairments in Nairobi Kenya. The research adopted a descriptive research guided by survey research design. The ideal sampling technique was stratified random sampling with a sample size of 50 respondents. Questionnaire was used for data collection.
The findings shows that Most of PWIs entreprenuers have low level of education with no business training, and that most EWIs source their capital from personal savings followed by family and friends. Lack of acceptable collateral is a major obstacle in accessing credit to impaired entrepreneurs. Further, the study found that most EWIs had accessed mentorship programmes because they considered it important for business start up. Finally the study found that EWIs Have difficulties in accessing transport facilities affecting their mobility which further adversely affects their marketing and networking efforts. The study recommended for stakeholders involvement in all aspects including but not limited to education, access to finance, mobility and mentorship to increase awareness and entrepreneurial culture among PWIs.
Keywords: Access To Finance, Level Of Education, Mobility And Mentorship