Understanding Lifelong Learning in Successful Women Managed Small and Medium Enterprises in Kakamega County: The Case of Kenya Women Microfinance Bank

Abstract

This qualitative study was a follow up to a 2022 study on the impact of lifelong learning (LLL) on women managed, small and medium enterprises in the context of KWFT biashara loan. The study sought to: create a deeper understanding of the LLL experiences of successful women managers of KWFTbiashara loan SMEs; find out the influence of LLL on successful women managed KWFT SMEs, from the perspective of the women managers, with an aim of making recommendations for policy and practice for LLL in the KWFT financial literacy training. This study utilized a multi-site case study approachthat purposively selected three successful SMEs from a pool of six SMEs that were observed in the 2022 study in Kakamega County of Kenya, under this Women Economic Empowerment Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and housed at Kenyatta University WEE-Hub. Data was collectedby use of semi-structured interviews and observation. Among other findings, this study reveals varied experiences and opinions concerning LLL in the context of KWFT biashara loan, including the group model of training and lending that was praised in one case and described as having some weaknessesthat required attention in two cases. Notably, all women managers of the successful KWFT biashara loan SMEs understood the basics of business and financial management, which they partly attributed to LLL in the context of KWFT financial literacy training. They also had strong support from their spouses,diversified their businesses and had visible assets that were acquired from the proceeds of the SMEs, among other findings. This study demonstrates how KWFT could strengthen the group model of training and improve on the training curriculum, among other recommendations.