The Effect of Micro Finance Institutions on the Growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs): A Case Study of Selected SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis
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Date
2011
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Abstract
This study discusses the effects of Microfinance Institution (MFIs) on the growth of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the Kumasi Metropolis. The study examined the detailed profile of SMEs in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana, the contribution of MFIs to entrepreneurial growth, the challenges encountered by SMEs in accessing credit and the rate of credit utilization by SMEs. An analysis of the profile of SMEs show that most SMEs are at their Micro stages since they employ less than six people and the sector is hugely dominated by the commerce sub-sector. The research also indicates that MFIs have had a positive effect on the growth of SMEs. Some of the critical contributions of MFIs include; greater access to credit, savings enhancement and provision of business, financial and managerial training. Irrespective of the contributions of MFIs to SMEs, there are challenges that affect their operations of both SMEs and MFIs. The major challenge faced by SMEs is the cumbersome process associated with accessing credit of which collateral security and high interest rate are major setback. The MFIs on the other hand, face some challenges relating to credit misappropriation and non-disclosure of the relevant facts of their businesses. In the final analysis, the research clearly reveals that MFIs have a positive effect on the growth SMEs. In other to enhance a sustained and accelerated growth in the operations of SMEs credits should be client-oriented and not product- oriented. Proper and extensive monitoring activities should be provided for clients who are granted loans.
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A Thesis submitted to the Institute of Distance Learning, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Commonwealth Executive Masters in Business Administration,