This study examines microfinance approaches in supporting renewable energy projects among women entrepreneurs operating in South African townships. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis from a sample survey of 150 women entrepreneurs in selected townships across South Africa. Women entrepreneurs received loans averaging 2, 500 (USD) for renewable energy projects, significantly impacting their household incomes by an average of 30% over two years. Microfinance can play a pivotal role in empowering women entrepreneurs to invest in and benefit from renewable energy projects, although challenges related to project implementation and market access persist. Government policies should prioritise financial inclusion measures tailored for microfinance institutions (MFIs) serving women entrepreneurs, alongside supportive infrastructure development. The empirical specification follows Y=₀+^ X+, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.
Makhanya et al. (Tue,) studied this question.