Analysis of Effect of Microfinance on the Performance of MSEs in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

This article examines the effect of microcredit on the performance of the micro and small enterprises (MSEs) in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. A total of 340 MSEs were randomly selected, and a survey method was used. Average Sales volume was used to measure performances of MSEs. The findings suggested that the majority of MSEs in Ethiopia were engaged in manufacturing and urban agriculture sectors with a share of 48.53% and 26.76% of the total, respectively. Paired t-test analysis of the study confirmed that there was a significant difference between the sales, total asset, employment and net profit performance of MSEs after microcredit loan. The study concluded that loan size, savings and entrepreneurship training had a significant positive effect on the performance of MSEs. It is suggested that microfinancial institutions should strengthen their existing policies and strategies to increase credit to MSEs, enhancing the modalities of entrepreneurship training and mobilizing savings to achieve the envisioned targets of reducing unemployment and promoting the growth of MSEs in Ethiopia.