Microfinance and Financial Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania: A Case Study of Ilala Municipality

ABSTRACT The study assessed the effects of Microfinance on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania. Data from Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC 2018) shows that 18% of the SMEs collapse in the third year of establishment, while 20% remains dormant making little profits. The specific objective of the study were to establish the influence of provision of credit facilities on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises, to determine the effect of savings mobilization on financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises and to find out the relationship between financial skills training and financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania. The research design used was descriptive research design. The target population consisted of the registered 3215 Small and Medium Enterprises and the sample size was 356 SMEs operating in Ilala Municipal. Data collection method used was questionnaire. The study used primary data which was obtained through self administered questionnaire with closed questions. 84.2% of the respondents was agreed that credit facilities affect the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises, 84.3% of the respondents was agreed that saving mobilization affect the financial performance of Small and medium Enterprises and 85.4% of the respondents was agreed that financial skills training affect the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises in Tanzania. The study recommended that the government and the Microfinance’s regulating bodies support to facilitate their growth and increase capacity of small and medium enterprises in Tanzania.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATION................................................................................................................................. i

AKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................. ii

DECLARATION A .......................................................................................................................iii

DECLARATION B ....................................................................................................................... iv

APPROVAL ................................................................................................................................... v

TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................... viii

LIST OF FIGURE........................................................................................................................... x

LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................. xi

CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................. 1

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 CHAPTER OVER VIEW......................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Background of the Study .......................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Statement of the Problem.......................................................................................................... 6

1.4 Objectives of the Study............................................................................................................. 7

1.5 Research Questions................................................................................................................ 8

The study was guided by the following research questions;........................................................... 8

1.6 Hypothesis................................................................................................................................. 8

1.7 Scope of the Study .................................................................................................................... 8

1.8 Significance of the Study.......................................................................................................... 9

1.9 Operational Definition of Key Terms..................................................................................... 10

CHAPTER TWO .......................................................................................................................... 12

LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................................. 12

2.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 12

2.2 Theoretical Literature Review ................................................................................................ 12

2.3 Conceptual Framework........................................................................................................... 15

2.4 Empirical Literature Review................................................................................................... 16

2.5 Research Gap .......................................................................................................................... 22

CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 24

METHODOLOGY ....................................................................................................................... 24

vii

3.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 24

3.2 Research Design...................................................................................................................... 24

3.3 Study Population..................................................................................................................... 24

3.4 Sample Size............................................................................................................................. 25

3.5 Sampling Techniques.............................................................................................................. 25

3.6 Data Collection Tool............................................................................................................... 25

3.8 Validity and Reliability........................................................................................................... 26

3.9 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................................... 27

3.10 Ethical Consideration............................................................................................................ 28

3.11 Limitations of the Study........................................................................................................ 28

CHAPTER FOUR......................................................................................................................... 29

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 29

4.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 29

4.2 General profile of the respondents.......................................................................................... 29

4.3 Influence of provision of credit facilities on financial performance of SMEs. ..................... 32

4.4 Effect of savings mobilization on financial performance of SMEs........................................ 37

4.5 Financial skills training and financial performance of SMEs............................................... 42

4.6 Small and Medium Enterprises Performances (SMEs). ...................................................... 47

CHAPTER FIVE .......................................................................................................................... 55

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS................................................... 55

5.1 Introduction............................................................................................................................. 55

5.2 Summary................................................................................................................................. 55

5.3 Conclusion. ............................................................................................................................. 57

5.4 Recommendations................................................................................................................... 58

REFERENCES. ............................................................................................................................ 60

APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 70

APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRE. ............................................................................................. 70

APPENDIX II: RESEARCH BUDGET....................................................................................... 74

APPENDIX III: RESEARCH TIME FRAME ............................................................................. 75