Access to Savings through Micro Finance Institutions on the Growth of Micro and Small Enterprises in Nairobi Central Business District: A case of Jitegemea Credit Scheme Nairobi

Abstract

Delivery of micro credit to operators of micro and small enterprises (MSEs) is increasingly being viewed as a strategic means of assisting the ‘working poor’. Several impact studies carried out on contribution of MFIs in the development of MSEs reveals different observations. There is no empirical study indicating the potential role of improved lending facilities by both formal and informal microfinance institutions in alleviating problems of access to credit to small businesses and accelerating business growth through offering of financial training and instilling financial discipline amongst the small and medium enterprises. Furthermore studies of microfinance institutions have shown that credit markets are segmented and unable to satisfy the existing demand for credit in the small business sectors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of MFIs in the growth of MSEs in Nairobi Central Business District (NCBD). This research problem was studied through the use of a causal research design. The target population comprised of 2956 owners of the MSEs in Nairobi central business district funded by Jitegemea Credit Scheme. This research study used a stratified random sampling method to select 296 respondents. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. A multivariate regression model was applied to determine the relative importance of each of the variables with respect to growth of MSEs. The study found that access to credit contribute more to the growth of MSEs followed by savings, while entrepreneurial development contributes the least to growth of MSEs. The study therefore recommends that the MFIs should be quick to measure the success rate of MSEs by considering factors like high repayment, outreach and financial sustainability and growth, but these may not be success if their activities do not reflect in the growth of MSEs. The study further recommends that Jitegemea Credit Scheme should increase access to credit by opening branches/information centres in town, reduce interest rate from the current 22% to approximately16%, increase the amount of loan offered and speed up the loan processing and loan repayment period. The MFI should also improve on client education through workshops and seminars in strategic management and financial management and should have a customer feedback mechanism.

Keywords: Micro Finance Institutions, Micro and Small Enterprises, Nairobi Central Business District, Jitegemea Credit Scheme