Abstract This study investigates the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital networks in enhancing the decision-making capabilities of women and youth entrepreneurs in developing economies. Traditional entrepreneurial landscapes often present significant barriers, including limited access to capital, market information, and robust support networks, which disproportionately affect these demographic groups. This research addresses the critical gap in understanding how emerging digital tools directly contribute to their entrepreneurial empowerment. Adopting a mixed-methods research design, this study employed a survey questionnaire administered to 350 women and youth entrepreneurs across select urban and peri-urban centers in Nigeria, complemented by in-depth interviews with 25 key informants to gather nuanced qualitative insights. Quantitative data analysis utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in SPSS AMOS to test hypothesized relationships between AI tool adoption, digital network engagement, and improved decision-making metrics. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between the adoption of AI-powered analytics tools and improved financial decision-making confidence among women entrepreneurs. Furthermore, engagement with digital networks substantially facilitated access to market intelligence and strategic planning capabilities for youth entrepreneurs. These results underscore the immense potential of AI and digital platforms to democratize access to critical resources, thereby fostering greater autonomy and efficacy in entrepreneurial decision-making. The study concludes that strategic policy interventions and targeted capacity-building programs are essential to maximize the empowering effects of these technologies for inclusive economic growth.
Ignatius Ossai (Sat,) studied this question.