Effect of Financial Inclusion Strategy on Performance of Small and Medium Enterprises: A Case of Selected SMEs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Abstract

Financial inclusion has enabled many organizations to deliver affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low-income sectors of the society. This has facilitated the operations of the business activities especially in Small and Medium Enterprises. The main purpose of this study was to establish the effects of financial inclusion strategies on performance of small and medium enterprises in Tanzania. The study was conducted on selected SMEs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The target population consisted of 93,430 in three districts of Dar es Salaam, where a sample of 240 respondents were selected by use of purposive non-probability sampling. Questionnaires were administered and the data collected and analyzed by use of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). From the key findings, it emerged that the respondents agreed that financial access point were made closer to where people live, access and use of financial services increased competition due to adopting new skills and technology, access and use of financial services increased profitability and growth of business and some of the challenges faced by SMEs in employing financial inclusion strategies were unforeseen market changes, not being involved in making strategies. The study recommended the sensitization of financial inclusion strategies to the beneficiaries and cooperation between financial institutions and SMEs in formulation of realistic strategies.