Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs in Nairobi County: The Role of Microcredit Access Channels

Purpose: Promoting women’s empowerment remains a central development priority across Africa and other regions of the Global South, where persistent gender disparities constrain women’s participation in economic activities. While global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 emphasize gender equality and equitable access to financial resources, the practical realization of these commitments often depends on how financial services are delivered. Although microcredit is widely recognized as a tool for fostering financial inclusion, many women entrepreneurs still face barriers linked to the channels through which credit is accessed. This study therefore examined the influence of microcredit access channels on the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Nairobi County, drawing on Feminist Theory to guide its conceptual framing. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional design and employed a quantitative approach to ensure objectivity and accuracy of findings. The target population comprised 921 women entrepreneurs operating licensed microenterprises within 12 rental markets in Nairobi County. Using systematic sampling, 279 respondents were selected and primary data was collected through structured questionnaires. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with coefficients above 0.6 considered acceptable. Data analysis entailed both descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations) and inferential techniques, that is linear regression, to test the study hypothesis. Findings: Results revealed that the channel used to access microcredit significantly influences the empowerment of women entrepreneurs in Nairobi County (β = 0.643, p = .000). Specifically, flexible and inclusive channels-particularly digital platforms-were associated with improved access and utilization of microcredit, thereby enhancing empowerment outcomes. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends that microcredit providers, including commercial banks, microfinance institutions and digital lenders, strengthen digital platforms by investing in user-friendly applications, multilingual support and customized services tailored to women entrepreneurs. Capacity-building initiatives should equip women with the necessary skills to effectively use digital tools, while policymakers should develop supportive fintech infrastructure and regulatory frameworks that promote innovation, consumer protection and inclusion for underserved women borrowers.