Exploring the supportive factors and inhibitors to the growth propensity of women-owned MSMEs in the Gambia

Women entrepreneurship is increasingly seen as a key to a nation's economic growth and serves as one of the main drivers for growth in emerging economies. However, the understanding of women-owned enterprises’ growth orientation, especially those in developing nations such as the Gambia, remains lacking. This study investigates factors that influence the growth propensity of female-owned businesses in The Gambia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises. An exploratory quantitative study using in-depth interviews was conducted to explore the critical factors affecting women entrepreneurs’ growth orientation. The findings reveal that female entrepreneurs in The Gambia present the capability to grow their businesses. However, their potential to grow is restricted by five factors: resource, socio-cultural, knowledge and skills, motivation, and market and supply chain. This study sheds light on the inhibitors and supporters affecting female-led businesses and provides insights for policymakers to develop better policies to overcome these barriers and encourage women's engagement in entrepreneurship.