ROLE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN THE GROWTH OF SMEs: A STUDY OF KUJE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES, KUJE AREA COUNCIL, ABUJA-FCT, NIGERIA

The global significance of entrepreneurship in fostering economic growth and development is well documented, with women entrepreneurs increasingly contributing to the growth of SMEs, which are crucial to economic stability. However, women entrepreneurs face numerous barriers, including limited access to finance, socio-cultural constraints, and insufficient policy support. The study aims at evaluate the roles of business innovation, risk-taking, and skill development in driving SME growth, focusing specifically on the experiences of women entrepreneurs in Kuje. The study’s underpinning theory is the resource Base View (RBV) which asserts that a firm's unique resources and capabilities, which are valuable, rare, inimitable, and non-substitutable, are key drivers of its competitive advantage and long-term performance. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the study combines qualitative and quantitative data through surveys and interviews with women entrepreneurs in Kuje Cooperative Society. The findings indicate a statistically significant positive relationship between business innovation, risk-taking, and skill development in promoting SME growth. Specifically, business innovation showed a 72% correlation with SME growth (p < 0.05), while risk-taking and skill development were each associated with a 65% and 70% increase in growth, respectively (p < 0.01). The study therefore concludes that there is a significant positive relationship between women entrepreneur’s activities and the growth of SMEs in Kuje.