| dc.description.abstract | While access to finance is an obstacle to all firms, women have consistently rated it as the
single biggest constraint preventing them from growing their businesses. Research
findings indicate that female entrepreneurs are fast becoming significant contributors to
the African economy as business owners and job creators. This study sought to find out
the strategies employed by Business Partners International Kenya limited to provide
tailor made loans to business women in the small and medium enterprises sector in
Nairobi. The objective of the study was to identify the strategies used by Business
Partners International Kenya Limited to provide tailor made loans to business women in
the SME sector in Nairobi. The research design used in this study was a case study
method. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected
through an interview guide which was administered to the investment team at BPI -
Kenya Limited. Secondary data was also obtained from various policy documents. In this
study, the informants were all investment officers with diverse ranks. The company is
managed by a specialist investment team who understand the various businesses needs be
it a need for finance, information, markets, a network base or mentors. With regard to
strategies employed, all the informants confirmed the existence of a strategic plan at BPI
Kenya Limited. Potential investments or loans are assessed on the viability of a business.
This means that the company does not have the same security requirements that
commercial banks do. BPI structures its products to suit women entrepreneurs in the
SME sector by advancing unsecured loans where collateral does not exist, while at the
same time ensuring the products suit the business cycles and cash flows. In addition,
applicants who qualify for investment financing under the BPI fund are able to benefit
from a technical assistance program that has been especially set up for this fund. | en |
