Barriers and Enablers Affecting Women Entrepreneurs in Rwanda: Evidence from Women Avocado Exporters in Kigali City

Abstract

Women-owned businesses have a crucial influence on economic development and export-based development. Women's participation in high-value agriculture and avocado exports is very low in Rwanda compared to other economic and social areas. It is largely affected by structural and socio-economic challenges. The present research is a response to the scarcity of empirical research dealing particularly with the obstacles and facilitators faced by women avocado exporters in Kigali City. It was conducted through a case study design and a mixed-method design, focusing more on quantitative and qualitative research. Data was collected through interviews and a questionnaire method for the purpose of actual research and was analyzed through a combination of quantitative data analysis procedures and inferential statistics using SPSS testing and data programming. The findings reveal access to finance, skill levels, discrimination and social perspective. The study focused on Barriers and Enablers affecting Women Entrepreneurs in Rwanda: Evidence from Women Avocado Exporters in Kigali City, Rwanda. From the findings, it is evident that the main challenges women entrepreneurs often face are difficulties in securing loans or credit due to a lack of collateral, credit history and financial literacy. Additionally, poor access to training on export procedures, quality standards, packaging, and marketing can be a significant constraint to growth and competitiveness. These findings give evidence-based recommendations on ways to revise legal and policy frameworks to ensure women’s equal access to land, finance, and productive resources; improve access to tailored and inclusive financial products; and expand capacity building through technical, managerial, and leadership training as a solution. The future generation should learn that business environments are shaped by local economic, cultural, and policy contexts. Therefore, solutions should be tailored to specific regions rather than copied unthinkingly from elsewhere.