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Women Marketeers’ Awareness of and Access to Microfinance in Rural Zambia: Evidence from Kamwanya Market, Mpika District

Author

Listed:
  • Nambela, Karen

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

  • Mundia, Mukwalikuli

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

  • Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

  • Muduli, Regina

    (Kwame Nkrumah University)

Abstract

This study assessed women marketeers’ awareness of and access to microfinance services in rural Zambia, using Kamwanya Market in Mpika District as a case study. Specifically, it determined the level of awareness, examined factors influencing accessibility, and tested the association between awareness and accessibility. An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design involved 100 participants: 90 women marketeers completed a structured questionnaire, while five microfinance representatives and five market or local leaders provided explanatory qualitative accounts. Quantitative data were summarised using frequencies, percentages, item means and composite categories; Pearson’s chi-square tested the association between awareness and accessibility. Qualitative accounts were analysed thematically and integrated with the numerical results. The analytical dataset produced an awareness mean of 2.73 and an accessibility mean of 2.62 on five-point scales. Forty-two women were classified as having low awareness and 42 as having constrained accessibility. Collateral, interest or service charges, and lack of information were the most frequently reported principal barriers. Awareness and accessibility were significantly associated, χ²(1, N = 90) = 19.401, p

Suggested Citation

  • Nambela, Karen & Mundia, Mukwalikuli & Mufalali, Simasiku Mwiya & Muduli, Regina, 2026. "Women Marketeers’ Awareness of and Access to Microfinance in Rural Zambia: Evidence from Kamwanya Market, Mpika District," African Journal of Commercial Studies, African Journal of Commercial Studies, vol. 7(5).
    • Handle: RePEc:cwk:ajocsl:2026-070
    DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v7.i5.3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sonia Vorster & Sebonkile Cynthia Thaba, 2025. "Exploring Funding Options for Female Entrepreneurs in Rural Areas in South Africa," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, September.
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      Keywords

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      JEL classification:

      • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
      • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
      • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
      • R51 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Regional Government Analysis - - - Finance in Urban and Rural Economies

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