Title: The Determinants of Financial Inclusion among Women Entrepreneurs in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania
Authors: Subilaga Ikupilika, Dr. Theobald Kipilimba, Prof. Enock Wiketye
Volume: 9
Issue: 9
Pages: 110-123
Publication Date: 2025/09/28
Abstract:
This study set out to explore the determinants of financial inclusion among women entrepreneurs in Iringa Municipality, Tanzania, with particular attention to the roles of mobile money services, education, and marital status. Using a quantitative research design, survey data were collected from 113 women entrepreneurs and analyzed through descriptive statistics, reliability and validity tests, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. The results showed that both mobile money services and education played a significant positive role in enhancing financial inclusion, with mobile money standing out as the strongest driver. In contrast, marital status was found to have a negative but statistically insignificant influence. The correlation analysis further confirmed meaningful relationships between the independent variables and women entrepreneurs' access to financial services. These findings suggest that mobile money and education have been vital in enabling women to engage with formal financial systems, though cultural and structural challenges-such as household dynamics and limited uptake of formal products-continue to shape their experiences. The study concludes that strengthening financial literacy, developing gender-sensitive financial products, and tackling socio-cultural barriers are essential steps to expand women's financial inclusion. In doing so, it calls for policy reforms, capacity-building efforts, and further research to ensure that women entrepreneurs can fully participate in and benefit from formal financial systems.