Challenges Being Faced by Small and Medium Enterprises in Accessing Credit Facilities in Lusaka Province, Zambia

Abstract

The study was specifically designed to identify challenges that small and medium enterprises face in accessing credit facilities from financial and non-financial institutions in Lusaka province of Zambia. The study adopted a descriptive analytical research and, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methodologies, the study made use of data collection tools, such as questionnaires and structured interviews. The study targeted 100 SMEs from the central business district and a total number of 80 as a sample size(s). The criteria used was based on arranging SMEs in various categories, such as restaurants, saloons, barbershops, computer services and poultry farming, most SMEs are facing challenges in accessing financial support from financial institutions, such as banks and microfinance institutions, hence, explored more to find out what the challenges are and how these challenges can be mitigated to ensure that all SMEs have equal opportunities to financial services at national or provincial level. The samples will be randomly collected and will analyse data using excel and content analysis tools. The research focuses on achieving the following objectives: 1. identifying challenges that SMEs face in Lusaka when accessing financial support from financial institutions within the town, and 2. establishing ways on how these challenges can be mitigated at town level.