Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in promoting and financial empowering Female Entrepreneurs in African rural areas

Abstract

This paper's primary goal is to investigate how the Village Saving and Loans Association (VSLA) promotes micro-entrepreneurship and Female Entrepreneurs as the primary strategy for small and micro enterprises in rural Egypt led by Female. The total sample size for both the quantitative and qualitative phases was 150 women. All 150 participants completed the survey, and 50 women were subsequently selected from this group to participate in in-depth interviews.in upper Egypt communities in who followed the VSLA methodology were surveyed using semi-structured questionnaires as part of a mixed methods approach. In contrast, the quantitative approach depended on secondary data, including the results of knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP). Multiple regression and thematic analysis were used to examine the gathered data. The Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) strategy has significantly improved the entrepreneurship of women and their Strat up and SMEs projects, according to the study's findings. The VSLA model helped members make creative entrepreneurs start up meeting the need of their community and well-informed decisions about the growth of their small and medium company (SME) initiatives by reducing financial stress. The findings only apply to the sample that has participated in the VSLA project implemented by an international donor. A longitudinal quantitative evaluation of the VSLA approach and its impact on SD strategy of Egypt would be recommended in terms of further research study, highlighting the role of VSLA’s impact on achieving the Egyptian sustainable strategy 2030.This paper is unique in presenting the concept of the VSLA as an intervention and approach for entrepreneurship in the rural community by empowering marginalized women facing financial hardship in upper Egypt. Although this approach has been used by international donors as part of large programs implemented in Egypt and other countries since 1979 aimed at SD in rural areas, there is scarcity in the literature related to this approach.