Capital Accessibility and Entrepreneurship Among Youths in Gasabo District, Rwanda

ABSTRACT The study investigated Capital accessibility and Entrepreneurship among youth in Gasabo District, Rwanda, was guided by six research objectives that were set to: (1) to determine the profile of the respondents in terms of; age, gender, level of education, experience, (2) to determine the level of capital accessibility among youths in Gasabo District; (3) to determine the level of entrepreneurship among youths in Gasabo District; (4) to establish whether there is a significant relationship between the level of capital accessibility and entrepreneurship among youths in Gasabo District. The findings of the study indicated that male respondents (over 78%) were higher than female respondents (over 2l%). This indicates a gender gap in Gasabo District-Rwanda, and this gap may be due to women not participating in entrepreneurship activities. Concerning marital status, the biggest portion of the respondents (over 66%) were still single and only 33% were married however. With respect to academic qualification, majority of the respondents (36.7%) were certificate holders, indicating that respondents are not generally qualified. Certificate holders were followed by diploma holders (36%) confirming the relative level of qualification. Regarding Name of the business, results indicate that majority of respondents (over 67%) in Gasabo District are carrying out sole trade businesses, and this can be due to low levels of capital among people in Gasabo District. And concerning number of years in business, majority of respondents (over 57%) have carried out businesses for 3-6 years. The findings also indicated that level of capital accessibility is generally low and this was indicated by the overall mean of 2.39. The lowest aspect of capital accessibility was; There are no terms and conditions in availing business capital to the (mean=1.59), yet the highest aspect of capital accessibility is; The government of Rwanda always take measures in protecting the youths from banks that tend to exploit them (mean=3.11). The level of youth entrepreneurship among youth in Gasabo District was also found to be generally low and this is shown by the overall mean of 2.29. The findings also indicated a positive significant relationship level of capital accessibility and youth entrepreneurship among people in Gasabo District, the sig. value was less than or equal to 0.05, which is the maximum level of significance required to declare a relationship significant. The researcher therefore recommends that the government of Rwanda should put no limit on the amount of money to be borrowed among the youth, and this will help them invest in different economic activities and hence increasing the level of capital assessment among youth in Gasabo District.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRELIMINARIES PAGE

DECLARATION A ii

DECLARATION B iii

iv APPROVAL SHEET

DEDICATION v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS vi

ABSTRACT vii

TABLE OF CONTENTS viii

LIST OF ABBREVATIONS AND ACROYNS xi

LIST OF TABLES xii

CHAPTER

ONE THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE 1

Background of the Study i

Statement of the Problem 3

Purpose of the Study 3

Research Objectives 4

Research Questions 4

Null Hypotheses 4

Scope 4

Significance of the Study 5

Operational Definitions of key Terms 6

TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 7

Concepts, Opinions, Ideas from 7

Authors/Experts

Theoretical Perspective ii

Related Studies 11

THREE METHODOLOGY 14

Research Design 14

Research Population 14

Sample Size 15

Sample Procedures is

Research Instruments 16

Vaildity and Rellabifity ofInstrument 16

Data Gathering Procedures 17

Data Analysis 17

Ethical Considerations 18

Limitations of the Study i~

Four PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND 20

INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Demographic Characteristics of the 20

Respondents

Level of capital accessibility among youths 22

Level of youth Entrepreneurship 26

Relationship Between The Level of Capital 28

Accessibility and youth Entrepreneurship

Regression Analysis Between the Dependent 29

and Independent Variables

Five SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND 31

RECOMMENDATIONS

Summary of the findings 31

Conclusions 32

Recommendations 32

REFERENCE 34

APPENDICES

APPENDIX I A Transmittal Letter 37

APPENDIX I I Transmittal Letter For Respondents 39

APPENDIX III Informed Consent 40

APPENDIX IV A Face Sheet: Demographic Characteristics Of 41

The Respondents

APPENDIX IV B Questionnaire To Determine The Level of 42

Capital Accessibility

APPENDIX IV C Questionnaire To Determine The Level of 44

youths Entrepreneurship

APPENDIX V Content Validity Index 46

APPENDIX VI Researcher’s Curriculum Vitae 59