Understanding the Key Factors Influencing Income Generation in Small Women-Owned Enterprises: A Case of Tabora Munipality

This research examined the obstacles encountered by female entrepreneurs in Tabora Municipality, Tanzania, with a specific focus on micro and small enterprises involved in sectors like sunflower oil production, petty trade, and beekeeping. Utilizing Krejcie and Morgan's formula (1970) for finite populations, the study established a sample size of 384 women entrepreneurs, accounting for 3.2% of the 12,400 women-owned businesses in the municipality. A stratified random sampling technique was used to ensure a representative sample of the population. The analysis integrated both quantitative and qualitative methods, employing Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression to pinpoint key factors affecting income generation. The findings reveal that technology adoption is the most significant factor (β = 0.700, p < 0.001), followed by access to loans (β = 0.486) and startup capital (β = 0.343), while education, marital status, and marketing also play important roles in influencing income. Results demonstrate that women entrepreneurs who incorporate technology into their businesses experience considerable income growth, yet obstacles like financial exclusion and low initial capital remain impediments to progress. The study concludes with recommendations for targeted interventions, including digital literacy programs, gender-sensitive financial products, vocational training, and collaborative marketing strategies, to tackle these issues and foster women’s economic empowerment in Tabora and similar regions.