Sources of finance for women Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Zimbabwe: A Study of Selected Women MSEs in Harare Town

This research study was based on women Micro and Small Enterprises in Zimbabwe, in particular those based in Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. The emphasis was on their sources of finance. A random selection of the population was done to come up with a sample size of 50 respondents of women MSEs. The data collection was done using both primary and secondary data. The secondary data was used in the form academic journals, reports and books to come up with a comparison of the sources of finance also used by women entrepreneurs as per other scholars’ perspectives. It was found out that Women MSEs used personal savings and Microfinance loans most as their sources of startup capital. The study further suggested that Retained earnings and Microfinance loans are also being mainly used as operational capital sources of finance, overlaps were noticed on women MSEs operational sources of finance thus confirming use of diverse sources of finance by Women entrepreneurs. The study recommended the government and the Central Bank to encourage the use of venture capital and business angels in funding of Women MSEs startups as well as use of other sources of capital like leasing. The building of formal and permanent structures for Women MSEs to use as business premises as well as financial management and bookkeeping training is also recommended.