The Effect of Financial Inclusion on Women’s Entrepreneurial Performance: Analysis of Credit Access in The Zimbabwean Banking Sector
Keywords:
financial literacy, financial inclusion, entrepreneurial performance, credit access, Entrepreneurial Leadership, economic growth and developmentAbstract
Financial inclusion is a key driver of economic growth and development, and financial institutions must play a role in promoting it. One of the major challenges facing financial institutions, particularly in developing countries, is financial illiteracy. Illiteracy can limit women's ability to access and effectively use financial services and hinder the adoption of technology that drives financial inclusion. Employing a quantitative research approach, data were collected from a sample of 190 women in Mashonaland East through a structured questionnaire. The study aimed to understand how financial inclusion affects women’s entrepreneurial endeavours, particularly access to bank loans. The major focus was on assessing how financial illiteracy affects financial inclusion, the influence of financial technology on financial inclusion, the moderating role of age, and the effect of financial inclusion on women’s entrepreneurial performance. The findings reveal that financial illiteracy significantly negatively impacts financial inclusion, while financial technology positively influences it. Furthermore, age moderates the relationship between financial inclusion and company performance, with older individuals benefiting more from financial inclusion. The study also confirms that financial inclusion positively affects women’s entrepreneurial performance. These results underscore the importance of financial literacy and technology in promoting financial inclusion and enhancing company performance. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and financial institutions, highlighting the need for targeted financial education programmes and digital banking solutions to improve financial inclusion and women’s entrepreneurial performance. Despite its limitations, including the sample size and cross-sectional design, the study offers a robust foundation for future research and practical interventions in the banking sector.
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