An assessment of factors contributing to the development of youth-led enterprises in Nyanza district, Rwanda

Abstract

This descriptive study sought to establish he factors that hinder the development of youth entrepreneurship in Rwanda, particularly in Nyanza district. A target of 240 business units was used, from which a sample of 150 people was chosen as the representative. Probabilistic and non-probability sampling techniques were used to create a sampling frame. Stratified sampling was one of the probability techniques used to ensure that various types of youth-led businesses were included in the survey. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires, a maintenance guide and an observation method. The data collected was analyzed using the Statistical package for Social Scientist software. The results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and were presented using tables. The findings revealed that a majority of youth had limited access to credit, market, entrepreneurship training and business development services during the start-up and growth phase, with many youth engaged in business motivated by socioeconomic factors such as unemployment. The study concluded that poor access and unavailability of credit and may slow down the development of youth entrepreneurship if there are no favorable credit systems to promote youth entrepreneurship. The provision of entrepreneurship education and training should also be improved, hence its introduction into primary and secondary school levels and tailored in a manner that can equip the youth with skills to start their own enterprises and not just passing examinations. Furthermore, it was recommended to adopt youth-friendly policies and regulations, such as making the bidding system favorable, offering tax exemptions to startups, and relaxing licensing regulations