Gender dynamics within Sub-Saharan African business practices in Egypt have been understudied, despite their significant impact on economic development and social equity. A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative surveys was employed. Data were collected from a diverse sample of businesses across Egypt's major cities, ensuring representation in all sectors and regions. Findings indicate that women entrepreneurs face significant barriers to accessing credit and capital compared to their male counterparts (35% vs. 48%). The study highlights the need for targeted policies aimed at reducing these disparities, particularly focusing on financial inclusion initiatives tailored for female business owners. Recommendations include developing gender-sensitive training programmes for banking and other financial institutions to enhance their support towards women entrepreneurs, alongside policy advocacy for improved regulatory frameworks that favour inclusive growth strategies.
Kamel et al. (Tue,) studied this question.