Assessment of Challenges and Opportunities of Women Owned Micro and Small Enterprises: A Case of Asella Town

Abstract

This study was aimed to assess the challenges and opportunities of women-owned micro and small enterprises in Asella town, Oromia National regional state, Ethiopia. By applying census on the area, primary data were collected through questionnaires from 107 women-owned micro and small enterprises. Face-to-face interview from the management of micro and small enterprise development office and randomly selected 10 women entrepreneurs were made. The collected data was processed and analyzed using both inferential and descriptive statistical techniques. The result of the study revealed that tax levied on the business, lack of promotion facilities, lack of entrepreneurship training, technology expensiveness and shortage of working capital need more attention by micro and small enterprise development office and other stakeholders were main factors that hinders the growth of women-owned micro and small enterprises whereas Business consultation services, premises, training at the beginning of the business, loan facility, moral or encouragement from society, peace and security, area specific features, support, and reward were the opportunities for women entrepreneurs in the town.

Keywords: MSEs; Women Enterprises; microfinance institutions; business development services