MICROFINANCING: STRATEGIC TOOL FOR SUSTAINABLE GREEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

The pressing global challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation have necessitated the need for sustainable practices across different sectors, especially in entrepreneurship. Green entrepreneurship, which integrates environmental concerns into business operations, is gaining prominence globally, and Nigeria as a nation is not left out. However, limited access to financial capital is a significant barrier to the proliferation of green entrepreneurship in Nigeria. This paper explores the important role micro-financing as a strategic tool played for promoting sustainable green entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The study profiled how micro-finance Institutions (MFI’s) provide capital to environmentally conscious businesses, challenges faced and policy recommendations for promoting green entrepreneurship. The study adopts ten selected microfinance institutions in Lagos State with a total population of 280. A sample of 100 staff of microfinance institutions and 20 green entrepreneurs was selected using the stratified random sampling technique. The survey research design adopted a Likert scale questionnaire to obtain responses. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical tool and t-test to measure the relationship between micro-financing and SGE. The study applied financial inclusion theory and resources- based view theories. Findings from the study revealed that financing of green entrepreneurship has not gained much prominence in Nigeria and the study recommends that appropriate governmental agencies should provide enabling laws and polices so that micro finance institutions can focus more on providing adequate financing to businesses that engage in environmentally friendly practices