An Assessment of the Role of Local Authorities in Promoting the Growth of SMEs in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper explores the role played by local authorities in promoting the growth of SMEs in Zimbabwe. Gweru Urban is the case study. A review of the literature points more to the contribution of the central government and monetary institutions, and fewer studies have been done on assessing the contribution of sub-national governments. The study adopted an inductive qualitative approach and purposefully selected a sample from the SME operation in the Gweru CBD and Mtapa areas. Falleti’s sequential theory of decentralisation informed this study as it acknowledges the existence of sub-national governments that also execute delegated roles from the centre. The study discovered several roles that, if implemented, can enhance the growth of SMEs.