Persons with disabilities: inequities in accessing interest-free loans under Tanzanian local government authorities

To foster economic empowerment, the Tanzanian government has initiated a fund offering interest-free loans to women, youth, and persons with disability (PWDs) via local government authorities (LGAs). Although the fund's performance and obstacles have been documented, the extent of loan access to PWDs remains unknown. This research, conducted across four LGAs, contributes to this under-explored area. A mixed-methods design was employed, with data gathered from 330 respondents through questionnaires, interviews, and document review. Results indicate a low propensity among PWDs to apply for these loans, predominantly due to anxieties regarding the process and repayment. Moreover, a deficit in essential business knowledge and practical experience among PWDs affects their entrepreneurial success. This is compounded by the LGAs’ insufficient efforts to raise awareness among the PWDs. Therefore, the level of loan access for PWDs within the surveyed LGAs is demonstrably low, thereby impeding national and global initiatives for PWD empowerment.