National Study on Women's Access to Financing in Sierra Leone

A broad range of empirical literature documents the existence of gender differences in women entrepreneurs’ ability to access financial services as against their male counterparts. In Sierra Leone evidence points to gender imbalance in accessing these services, a situation with far reaching implications and economic consequences for the national economic growth of the country. Entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone, and women entrepreneurs specifically, face major challenges; challenges of business entry, survival, growth, capacity to handle complex business management and availability of financial resources.

This report presents a gendered analytical review of women’s ability to access finance and their dominance in micro and small businesses within the constraints of the prevailing financial landscape in the country. The study aims to identify and recommend suggested actions and policies to alleviate some of the challenges women entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone face.