Assessing the Impact of Micro Finance Services in Economic Empowerment: A Case of Savings and Credit Organizations (VICOBA) in Temeke District

he study aimed at exploring the impact of VICOBA in poverty reduction in Temeke District of Tanzania. Specifically the study was to assess the improvement of the economic status as a result of VICOBA-loans, determine challenges faced in accessing and repayment of VICOBA-loans, and identify additional service that may be offered by VICOBA to the members. The study used exploratory and descriptive designs and used of questionnaire and interviews as well as documentary review in data collection. Thematic analysis was used for the qualitative data while descriptive analysis and Chi-square test were used for the quantitative data. The findings of the study reported that there is the significant increase of income, equipments/assets and business production of the VICOBA-members, therefore, VICOBA have helped to empower economic status of their members. It was revealed that in accessing and repaying VICOBA-loans; generally VICOBA-members face negligible challenges. It was further noted that amount of loan given, lending policy and procedures used by most of VICOBA are likely to inflict challenges to the members in accessing and repaying VICOBA-loans in the near future. Concerning additional services desired by VICOBA-members the study found that saving facilities and business educations were significantly desired by VICOBA-members. The study concluded that VICOBA have helped in economic empowerment in Temeke district of Tanzania. It was recommended that government and other development stakeholders should create enabling environment for the VICOBA to work smoothly in the country to serve great population of MSEs

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

The Open University of Tanzania

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Msambichaka, Kuhunga Patrick

• 658 Gerneral management

Language dc:language

en