Impact of Micro Credit on the Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in Delta State

Abstract

This study attempts to examine the impact of micro credit on the performance of women owned micro enterprises in Delta State. Data were sought through structured questionnaires and analysis using tables, frequencies, percentage, and charts while chi square was used to test the hypothesis. Although 46.6 percent of the respondents were aware of the existence of micro finance banks, only 16.67 percent patronized them. However, the performance of those that patronized them did not improve significantly. This was due to high interest rates and short repayment periods. It was thus recommended that regulatory and statutory bodies should be made to monitor the interest rates on loans and advances as well as accessibility of women Entrepreneurs to finance. Also, micro finance policy should be further publicized to create more awareness to attract patronage from members of the low income group who would then have better knowledge of the finance banks offers.