IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bcp/journl/v8y2024i4p1366-1379.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Assessment of Financial Inclusion Challenges Among Women Vendors at the Bulawayo Vegetable Market

Author

Listed:
  • Nothando Tshuma

    (National University of Science and Technology)

  • Ashley Takudzwa Kufa

    (National University of Science and Technology)

  • Emmanuel Sibanda

    (National University of Science and Technology)

  • Tsepeso Setoboli

    (National University of Science and Technology)

Abstract

In the vibrant markets of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, where women entrepreneurs thrive, a critical challenge persists: financial inclusion remains low. However, Mobile Financial Services (MFS) digital platforms have the potential to revolutionize access to affordable financial solutions for women entrepreneurs. Our study delved into the experiences of women vendors at the bustling Bulawayo Vegetable Market during the period from 2016 to 2023. Through a descriptive survey design, we aimed to uncover the hurdles faced by these enterprising women as they navigated the realm of MFS. Findings revealed that many women were unaware of the existence and benefits of MFS. The lack of knowledge hindered their participation. Proper documentation essential for accessing financial services remained elusive for some. Without it, women faced barriers in utilizing MFS. Limited education posed a significant obstacle. Basic financial literacy and digital skills were prerequisites for effective MFS adoption. The absence of digital skills impeded women from confidently using mobile platforms for financial transactions. Scarce availability of mobile money agents in the market area restricted women’s access to MFS. To bridge this gender gap and empower women entrepreneurs, we recommend Financial Institutions to Collaborate with MFS providers to offer targeted training programs. These sessions should focus on MFS awareness, digital literacy, and documentation procedures. NGOs Community Initiatives should launch awareness campaigns specifically tailored for women vendors. These campaigns can demystify MFS, emphasize its benefits, and address common concerns. By dismantling these barriers, we can unlock the full potential of MFS, enabling women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute significantly to sustainable development in Zimbabwe.

Suggested Citation

  • Nothando Tshuma & Ashley Takudzwa Kufa & Emmanuel Sibanda & Tsepeso Setoboli, 2024. "An Assessment of Financial Inclusion Challenges Among Women Vendors at the Bulawayo Vegetable Market," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(4), pages 1366-1379, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:4:p:1366-1379
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/Digital-Library/volume-8-issue-4/1366-1379.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/articles/an-assessment-of-financial-inclusion-challenges-among-women-vendors-at-the-bulawayo-vegetable-market/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Grohmann, Antonia & Klühs, Theres & Menkhoff, Lukas, 2018. "Does financial literacy improve financial inclusion? Cross country evidence," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 111, pages 84-96.
    2. Peterson K. Ozili, 2018. "Impact of digital finance on financial inclusion and stability," Borsa Istanbul Review, Research and Business Development Department, Borsa Istanbul, vol. 18(4), pages 329-340, December.
    3. Fatma Mabrouk & Jihen Bousrih & Manal Elhaj & Jawaher Binsuwadan & Hind Alofaysan, 2023. "Empowering Women through Digital Financial Inclusion: Comparative Study before and after COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Ozili, Peterson Kitakogelu, 2018. "Impact of Digital Finance on Financial Inclusion and Stability," MPRA Paper 84771, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Md. Rakibul Islam Rubel & Md. Mozahidul Haque & Mohammad Earfan Ali Khondaker, 2019. "The Effects of Microcredit on The Empowerment of Women in Northern Region of Bangladesh," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 3(6), pages 191-202.
    6. Ghosh, Saibal & Vinod, D., 2017. "What Constrains Financial Inclusion for Women? Evidence from Indian Micro data," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 60-81.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Zhao, Yang & Goodell, John W. & Dong, Qingli & Wang, Yong & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul, 2022. "Overcoming spatial stratification of fintech inclusion: Inferences from across Chinese provinces to guide policy makers," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    2. Claude Bernard Lontchi & Baochen Yang & Yunpeng Su, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Financial Literacy and the Moderating Role of Social Capital in the Relationship between Financial Inclusion and Sustainable Development in Cameroon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Gallego-Losada, María-Jesús & Montero-Navarro, Antonio & García-Abajo, Elisa & Gallego-Losada, Rocío, 2023. "Digital financial inclusion. Visualizing the academic literature," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    4. Favourate Y. Mpofu, 2024. "Industry 4.0 in Finance, Digital Financial Services and Digital Financial Inclusion in Developing Countries: Opportunities, Challenges, and Possible Policy Responses," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 14(2), pages 120-135, March.
    5. Weidong Chen & Xiaohui Yuan, 2021. "Financial inclusion in China: an overview," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 1-21, December.
    6. Gen Norman Thomas & Siti Mutiara Ramadhanti Nur & Lely Indriaty, 2024. "The Impact of Financial Literacy, Social Capital, and Financial Technology on Financial Inclusion of Indonesian Students," Papers 2405.06570, arXiv.org.
    7. Ozili, Peterson Kitakogelu, 2021. "Financial inclusion and legal system quality: are they correlated?," MPRA Paper 110518, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    8. P. K. Priyan & Wakara Ibrahimu Nyabakora & Geofrey Rwezimula, 2023. "A bibliometric review of the knowledge base on financial inclusion," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 1-21, February.
    9. Shahid Manzoor Shah & Amjad Ali, 2022. "A Survey on Financial Inclusion: Theoretical and Empirical Literature Review," Journal of Policy Research (JPR), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 8(4), pages 310-330, December.
    10. Ozili, Peterson K, 2020. "Theories of financial inclusion," MPRA Paper 101810, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    11. Liu, Dan & Jin, Yanhong & Pray, Carl & Liu, Shuang, 2020. "The Effects of Digital Inclusive Finance on Household Income and Income Inequality in China?," 2020 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, Kansas City, Missouri 304238, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    12. Francisco Jesús Gálvez-Sánchez & Juan Lara-Rubio & Antonio José Verdú-Jóver & Víctor Meseguer-Sánchez, 2021. "Research Advances on Financial Inclusion: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-19, March.
    13. Eduardo Polloni-Silva & Naijela da Costa & Herick Fernando Moralles & Mario Sacomano Neto, 2021. "Does Financial Inclusion Diminish Poverty and Inequality? A Panel Data Analysis for Latin American Countries," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 158(3), pages 889-925, December.
    14. David Mhlanga, 2021. "Factors That Matter for Financial Inclusion: Evidence from Sub-Sharan Africa - The Zimbabwe Case," Academic Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Richtmann Publishing Ltd, vol. 10, November.
    15. Ozili, Peterson K, 2020. "Financial inclusion research around the world: a review," MPRA Paper 101809, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    16. María-Jesús Gallego-Losada & Antonio Montero-Navarro & Rocío Gallego-Losada & José-Luis Rodríguez-Sánchez, 2024. "Measuring financial divide in the rural environment. The potential role of the digital transformation of finance," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 20(4), pages 2791-2810, December.
    17. Murshed, Muntasir & Ahmed, Rizwan & Al-Tal, Raad Mahmoud & Kumpamool, Chamaiporn & Vetchagool, Witchulada & Avarado, Rafael, 2023. "Determinants of financial inclusion in South Asia: The moderating and mediating roles of internal conflict settlement," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    18. Guo‐Hua Cao & Jing Zhang, 2022. "The entrepreneurial ecosystem of inclusive finance and entrepreneurship: A theoretical and empirical test in China," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(1), pages 1547-1568, January.
    19. Ma, Yechi & Ding, Yibing & Bu, Ziwen & Li, Suyang, 2024. "Political freedom and financial inclusion: Unraveling social trust and political rent-seeking," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 46-65.
    20. Mateusz Folwarski, 2021. "The FinTech Sector and Aspects on the Financial Inclusion of the Society in EU Countries," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 1), pages 459-467.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bcp:journl:v:8:y:2024:i:4:p:1366-1379. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Dr. Pawan Verma (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://rsisinternational.org/journals/ijriss/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.