FINANCING AND RELATED CONSTRAINTS TO THE GROWTH OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP: EVIDENCE FROM NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This survey examines financing and related issues constraining the growth of women entrepreneurship in Nasarawa state, Nigeria. We collected data on the entrepreneurs’ financial and non- financial characteristics like entrepreneurs’ age, business risks, experience, educational status, etc. Observations on the response variables yield a representative sample of 314 out of the 500 questionnaires sent out. This represents a response rate of approximately 63%. Using nonparametric statistics, specifically descriptive statistics, we found, that it is usually difficult to find any kind of association in the small sectors where they operated. This handicap has seriously constrained their ability to access finance through group lending programs which is preferred by most financial institutions. Also, they cannot benefit from the advantages provided by social networks. Also, we found gender specific constraints such as Social norms, values and practices which promote gender inequalities as one of the major constraints to women entrepreneurship. We recommend that research and policy making may perhaps best be focused on how to effectively change the business environment and social institutions to support women through employment, access to social and financial capital, and raising self-confidence