Authors :
Jonesta Pius
Volume/Issue :
Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 7 - July
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3teuszh4
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/2uf7e4ba
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jul075
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This study examined the factors affecting women’s economic empowerment in Mbeya Urban, Tanzania.
Specifically, the study analysed the influence of access to financial services, education and entrepreneurial skills, and access
to productive resources on women’s economic empowerment. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was adopted,
and data were collected from 100 women engaged in small and medium economic activities using structured questionnaires.
Data were analysed using descriptive. The findings reveal that access to financial services significantly enhances women’s
ability to start and expand businesses, while education and entrepreneurial skills improve business management and
decision-making. In addition, access to productive resources such as capital, land, and markets was found to have a strong
positive influence on women’s economic empowerment. The study concludes that women’s economic empowerment is
multidimensional and depends on the integration of financial, human, and material resources. The study recommends
improving access to affordable credit, expanding entrepreneurship training programs, and strengthening women’s access
to productive resources to enhance sustainable economic empowerment in Tanzania.
Keywords :
Women’s Economic Empowerment, Financial Services, Entrepreneurial Skills, Productive Resources, Tanzania.
References :
- Becker, G. S. (1964). Human capital: A theoretical and empirical analysis, with special reference to education. University of Chicago Press.
- Kabeer, N. (1999). Resources, agency, achievements: Reflections on the measurement of women's empowerment. Development and Change, 30(3), 435–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7660.00125
- Kabeer, N. (1999). Resources, agency, and achievements: Reflections on the measurement of women’s empowerment. Development and Change, 30(3), 435–464. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-7660.00125
- Kasoga, P. S. (2020). Microfinance institutions and women’s empowerment: Empirical evidence in Tanzania. International Journal of Financial Services Management, 10(3), 190–216. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJFSM.2020.111101
- Kikula, J. S. (2018). Challenges facing Tanzanian women entrepreneurs while managing entrepreneurial ventures: A case of Mbeya City. Huria Journal of the Open University of Tanzania, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.61538/huria.v25i1.565
- Kimaro, P. J. (2023). Role of savings and credit cooperative societies on women socio-economic empowerment in Moshi Municipality, Tanzania. Journal of Studies in Social Sciences and Humanities, 9(1), 41–57.
- Mambosho, P. S., & Chole, G. S. (2023). Evaluation of economic empowerment initiatives on women in Arusha Region, Tanzania. The Accountancy and Business Review, 16(5). https://doi.org/10.59645/abr.v16i5.390
- Mbunda, K. A. (2023). Saving and credit cooperative services and socio-economic empowerment of women in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania. East African Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 7(1), 202–218. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajis.7.1.1887
- Ngoyo, L. D., Lubuva, E. E., & Lupala, F. (2023). Factors influencing sustainable economic empowerment of women using Women Development Fund in Tanzania. Local Administration Journal, 16(2), 177–194.
- Nzilano, K. L., & Magoti, S. N. (2025). Digitalisation of banking services and financial inclusion of women entrepreneurs in Dodoma, Tanzania. African Journal of Empirical Research, 6(2), 398–411.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2022). SIGI country report for Tanzania. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/06621e57-en
- UN Women. (2020). Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The gender snapshot 2020. UN Women. https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/09/progress-on-the-sustainable-development-goals-the-gender-snapshot-2020
- United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
- World Bank. (2024). Women, Business and the Law 2024. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-2063-1
This study examined the factors affecting women’s economic empowerment in Mbeya Urban, Tanzania.
Specifically, the study analysed the influence of access to financial services, education and entrepreneurial skills, and access
to productive resources on women’s economic empowerment. A quantitative cross-sectional research design was adopted,
and data were collected from 100 women engaged in small and medium economic activities using structured questionnaires.
Data were analysed using descriptive. The findings reveal that access to financial services significantly enhances women’s
ability to start and expand businesses, while education and entrepreneurial skills improve business management and
decision-making. In addition, access to productive resources such as capital, land, and markets was found to have a strong
positive influence on women’s economic empowerment. The study concludes that women’s economic empowerment is
multidimensional and depends on the integration of financial, human, and material resources. The study recommends
improving access to affordable credit, expanding entrepreneurship training programs, and strengthening women’s access
to productive resources to enhance sustainable economic empowerment in Tanzania.
Keywords :
Women’s Economic Empowerment, Financial Services, Entrepreneurial Skills, Productive Resources, Tanzania.
