Women’s Entrepreneurship in Burundi: Socioeconomic Barriers, Policy Gaps, and Financial Constraints in a Fragile Economy

Chanel Bikorimana () and Dina Modestus Nziku ()
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Chanel Bikorimana: Glasgow Caledonia University (GCU), Glasgow School for Business and Society (GSBS)
Dina Modestus Nziku: University of the West of Scotland (UWS), School of Business and Creative Industries

Chapter Chapter 9 in Economic Resilience and Sustainability - Vol. 2, 2026, pp 139-153 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Women in Burundi face structural and systemic barriers in entrepreneurship due to gender inequalities, financial exclusion, and socio-cultural constraints. This study critically examines women’s access to economic opportunities, highlighting disparities in education, employment, and financial resources. Despite entrepreneurship being a key pathway to economic independence, most women operate in the informal sector, facing limited access to markets, networks, and funding. Institutional barriers, such as customary land laws restricting female ownership, further hinder access to financial services, as collateral requirements disproportionately disadvantage women. Applying institutional theory, this study argues that Burundi’s entrepreneurship policies lack gender responsiveness, impeding women-led SME development. The study findings suggest that the government of Burundi needs to implement policy reform, adopt inclusive financial mechanisms, and targeted entrepreneurship programs, which are essential to fostering sustainable economic growth. This study contributes to discussions on gender equity in entrepreneurship, emphasising the need for context-specific interventions in fragile economies.

Keywords: Women’s entrepreneurship; Gender inequality; Financial exclusion; Institutional barriers; Economic development; Policy reform; Burundi (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-04214-9_9

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-04214-9_9

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