Gender, Age and Inclusive Entrepreneurship Finance in Eastern Zambia: Evidence from Youth-Owned Enterprises
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t70103Abstract
This study examined the relationship between gender, age and self-rated enterprise growth among youth-owned enterprises in Eastern Zambia. It also assessed whether the observed differences remained after education and district were taken into account. Rather than treating demographic characteristics as direct causes of performance, the findings are interpreted through a multilevel capability resource institution framework. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 300 youth entrepreneurs aged 18-35 years in Chipata, Petauke and Lundazi using proportionate stratified sampling. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics, Welch’s independent-samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey post-hoc comparisons, chi-square analysis, a Kruskal-Wallis sensitivity test and exploratory multiple regression. Female respondents reported higher mean growth (M = 2.53, SD = 0.838) than male respondents (M = 2.24, SD = 0.875), with a mean difference of 0.29, 95% CI [0.095, 0.485], t(289.42) = -2.92, p = .004 and Cohen’s d = 0.34. Age-group differences were statistically significant but small, F(2, 297) = 3.696, p = .026, eta squared = .024, and the non-parametric sensitivity test produced the same substantive conclusion. The age-by-growth categorical association was not statistically significant, chi-square(6) = 11.049, p = .087, Cramer’s V = .136. The adjusted model explained 6.4% of the variation in growth; gender, education and district retained modest associations, whereas age did not. Because the data are cross-sectional and self-reported, the results show association rather than causation. The findings suggest that broad demographic targeting is unlikely to be enough. Gender-responsive and enterprise-stage-sensitive finance should be combined with record keeping, financial and digital literacy, collateral alternatives, mentorship, market linkages and transparent district-level delivery.
Keywords: youth entrepreneurship; inclusive finance; gender; age; enterprise growth; Zambia
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