The impact of microfinance on microenterprises
-
DOIhttp://dx.doi.org/10.21511/imfi.14(3).2017.08
-
Article InfoVolume 14 2017, Issue #3, pp. 82-92
- Cited by
- 1538 Views
-
1081 Downloads
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
The provision of and access to financial services, particularly credit, can contribute greatly to the development of microenterprises in South Africa. Such provision has been an issue ignored by conventional banks or formal financial institutions. The problem associated with this ignorance includes high transaction and operation costs, lack of collateral, and the inability to obtain information about microenterprises resulting in difficulties to extend such credit. Microfinance therefore becomes an alternative to conventional banking and a mainstream and sustainable development activity for extending credit to microenterprises. However, the benefits of microfinance, which include, among others, the ability to provide the much-needed financial support for microenterprises, have not been fully harnessed in South Africa. The objective of this article is to evaluate the impact of microfinance on microenterprises in a typical South African township and to propose specialized financial mechanisms to support and improve the provision of credit to microenterprises. The article draws on the findings of a study undertaken in the Ga-Rankuwa township located in the Tshwane Metropolitan area in the Gauteng province of South Africa. It further draws on a wide range of extensive review of literature that documents the impact of microfinance on microenterprises. A case study approach is adopted and mixed method research paradigm (qualitative and quantitative) is used to gather information. Structured questionnaires and interviews were used to solicit information from the randomly selected microfinance institutions and microenterprises in the Ga-Rankuwa township.
- Keywords
-
JEL Classification (Paper profile tab)G20, G210
-
References33
-
Tables0
-
Figures0
-
- Arthur, C., Fan, H., & Esther, W. (2009). Strategies for Efficiently Expanding the Operations of Kiva.org. BEM 106: Competitive Strategy.
- Bankseta (2013). The microfinance review 2013. From microfinance to financial inclusion. A review of the South African microfinance sector – trends, successes, challenges and policy issues. South Africa, University of Pretoria.
- Bhasin, V. K., & Akpalu, W. (2001). Impact of micro-finance enterprises on the efficiency of micro-enterprises in cape coast. University of Cape Coast, Department of economics.
- Bedson, J. (2009). Microfinance in Asia: trends, challenges and opportunities. The Foundation for Development Cooperation, Queensland, Australia.
- Bergman, M. M. (2008). Advances in mixed methods research. Thousand Oaks: SAGE.
- Bhasin, V. K., & Akpalu, W. (2001). Impact of micro-finance enterprises on the efficiency of micro-enterprises in Cape Coast. University of Cape Coast, Department of Economics.
- Calvin, B., & Coetzee, G. (Eds.). (2010). A review of the South African microfinance sector, 2009. Successes, challenges, and policy issues. Finmark Trust and University of Pretoria, Centre for Microfinance.
- Coetzee, G. (1998). Regulation and supervision of Microfinance Institutions: The Adaptability in South Africa. Pretoria, University of Pretoria, Department of Agricultural Economics.
- Consultative Group to Assist The Poor (CGAP) (2012). A guide to regulation and supervision of microfinance. World Bank.
- Duncombe, R., & Heeks, R. (2005). Information & communication technologies (ICTs), poverty reduction and micro, small & medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs). A framework for understanding ICT applications for MSMEs in developing countries. University of Manchester, Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM).
- East and Southern Africa Banking Supervisors Group (ESAF) (2004). Microfinance - the South African perspective.
- Falkena et al. (n.d.) Smes’ Access to Finance in South Africa – A Supply- Side Regulatory Review. The Task Group of the Policy Board for Financial Services and Regulation.
- Fatoki, O. (2014). The Financial Literacy of Micro Entrepreneurs in South Africa. Department of Business Management, University of Limpopo, Limpopo Province, South.
- Finscope (2006). FinScope small business survey, Gauteng.
- Firpo, J. (2005). Banking the unbanked: technology’s role in delivering accessible financial services to the poor. Oakland, CA: Semba Consulting.
- Karlan, D., & Goldberg, N. (2011). Microfinance evaluation strategies: notes on methodology and findings. In Armendariz, B. and Labie, M. (Eds.), The handbook of microfinance (pp. 17-58). New York: World Scientific Series.
- Karlan, D., & Valdivia, M. (2010). Teaching entrepreneurship: impact of business training on microfinance clients and institu¬tions. Innovations for Poverty Action and the Abdul Latif. Jameel Poverty Action Lab. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. New Haven: Yale University.
- Kota, I. (2007). Microfinance: banking for the poor. Finance and Development, 44(2), 44.
- Lützenkirchen, C. (2012). Microfinance in evolution: An industry between crisis and advancement.
- Mashigo, M. P. (2011). The lending practices of township micro-lenders and their impact on low-income households in South Africa: a case study for Mamelodi township. New Contree, 61, 149-171.
- Mashigo, M. P., & Klingelhoefer, H. E. (2012). Microfinance strategies in supporting microenterprises in South African townships – a case study of Gauteng. Paper presented at the 14th Annual International Conference of the Global Business and Technology Association (GBATA), July 10-14, USA, New York.
- Mashigo, P. (2014). Micro credit: A government strategy for micro enterprise development in South Africa. Journal of Public Administration, 49(2), 485-498.
- Mathison, S. (2005). Electronic Banking with the Poor Increasing the Outreach and Sustainability of Microfinance through ICT Innovation. The Foundation for Development Cooperation.
- Meagher, P., & Wilkinson, B. (2002). Filling the gap in South Africa’s small and micro credit market: an analysis of major policy, legal, and regulatory issues. Revised Final Report submitted to the micro finance regulatory council of South Africa. IRIS Center, University of Maryland.
- Mohane, H., Coetzee, G., & Grant, W. (2000). The effects of the interest rate ceilings on the micro lending market in South Africa. Agrekon, 39(4), 730-738.
- Pabalelo, H., Taurai, M., Solly, S. (2016). Mysteries of success for small and medium enterprises in Ga-Rankuwa Township of Pretoria in Gauteng Province, South Africa.
- Sebstad, J. (1992). Get ahead foundation credit programs in South Africa: the effects of loans on client enterprises. GEMINI. Technical Report, 44.
- South Africa. (1967). Physical Planning Act No. 88 of 1967. Government Gazette, 1771, June 21.
- South Africa. (1996). National Small Business Act No. 102 of 1996. Government Gazette, 1901, November 27, 14.
- South Africa. City of Tshwane. (2012). Integrated developmental plan. First revision – consolidating service delivery, accelerating job creation and strengthening foundations for a new Tshwane, a city of excellence. South Africa, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.
- Van De Ruit, C., May, J., & Roberts, B. (2001). A poverty assessment of the Small Enterprise Foundation on behalf of the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest. University of Natal. School of development studies.
- World Bank (2014). The Economics of South African Townships.
- Zingoni, T. S. (2010). Microfinance industry in South Africa – a review of the sector.