Journal of Economic, Finance Research and Review (JEFRR) · Research article · Open access
Beyond Access: Digital Literacy and the Limits of MSME Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Nigeria
Akeem AKINKUOLIE, Dotun Olaleye FALOYE
17 April 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp. 231-245
DOI: 10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04
Download full text (PDF)Cite this article
What is this article about?
This study examines the persistent disconnect between MSME support interventions and entrepreneurial outcomes among women in Nigeria, where increased access to finance, training, and market linkages has not translated into improved firm performance. Drawing on capability-based and contingency perspectives, the study investigates whether digital literacy mediates the relationship between MSME support mechanisms and women’s entrepreneurial development.
Article at a glance
- Published
- 17 April 2026
- Volume / issue / pages
- Vol. 2, Issue 4, pp. 231-245
- ISSN
- 3051-3650 (online) · 3051-3642 (print)
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0 — free to read and reuse with attribution
- Peer review
- Double-blind, at least two independent reviewers
- Publisher
- EP Journals Group
Abstract
This study examines the persistent disconnect between MSME support interventions and entrepreneurial outcomes among women in Nigeria, where increased access to finance, training, and market linkages has not translated into improved firm performance. Drawing on capability-based and contingency perspectives, the study investigates whether digital literacy mediates the relationship between MSME support mechanisms and women’s entrepreneurial development. Using survey data from 600 women-owned MSMEs and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), the findings reveal that MSME support mechanisms have no significant effect on business performance (β = −0.020, p = 0.748) and do not significantly influence digital literacy (β = −0.070, p = 0.492). Additionally, digital literacy does not significantly affect business performance (β = 0.024, p = 0.571) and does not mediate the relationship between MSME support and entrepreneurial outcomes. However, digital literacy exerts a significant negative effect on personal empowerment (β = −0.096, p = 0.004), while MSME support shows no significant influence on empowerment outcomes. The study concludes that MSME support mechanisms and digital literacy are insufficient to drive entrepreneurial outcomes in structurally constrained environments such as Nigeria and comparable developing economies. It highlights the need for integrated, ecosystem-based interventions that align entrepreneurial capabilities with enabling institutional and infrastructural conditions.
Keywords: MSME Support Mechanisms, Digital Literacy, Women Entrepreneurship, Business Performance, Personal Empowerment, PLS-SEM, Nigeria
Cite this article
Akeem AKINKUOLIE, & Dotun Olaleye FALOYE (2026). Beyond Access: Digital Literacy and the Limits of MSME Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Journal of Economic, Finance Research and Review, 2(4), 231-245. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04
@article{Akeem2026,
title = {Beyond Access: Digital Literacy and the Limits of MSME Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Nigeria},
author = {Akeem AKINKUOLIE and Dotun Olaleye FALOYE},
journal = {Journal of Economic, Finance Research and Review},
year = {2026},
volume = {2},
number = {4},
pages = {231-245},
doi = {10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04},
url = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04}
}Questions about this article
Who wrote this article?
Akeem AKINKUOLIE, Dotun Olaleye FALOYE.
Where and when was it published?
In Journal of Economic, Finance Research and Review, Volume 2, Issue 4, pages 231-245, published by EP Journals Group on 17 April 2026.
Is this article free to read?
Yes. It is open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC BY 4.0) licence, so anyone can read, share and reuse it with attribution.
What is the DOI of this article?
10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04 (https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04).
How do I cite this article?
APA: Akeem AKINKUOLIE, & Dotun Olaleye FALOYE (2026). Beyond Access: Digital Literacy and the Limits of MSME Support for Women’s Entrepreneurship in Nigeria. Journal of Economic, Finance Research and Review, 2(4), 231-245. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jefrr/V2E4/2026-04
More research from JEFRR
- Understanding Green Purchase Intention in the Digital Era: Green Communication, Brand Image, And Brand Trust
Dini Safitri, Sharon Claudia Rambu Podu Diah, Olaf Tri Wilopo Simanjuntak, Muhammad Fadli · Oct 2026
- Digital Marketing Transformation and Consumer Purchase Behaviour in Post-Pandemic Markets
Rezwan Hossain, Muhammad Shoaib, Darda Rahman · Oct 2026
- Effectiveness of Financial Literacy and Financial Inclusion on Competitiveness of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Uganda: The Mediating Role of Financial Planning
Eric Nzibonera, Godfrey Akileng, David Namanya · Oct 2026
- Relationship Between Community Policing Participation and Crime Reduction Among Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) in Ikorodu West and Ikorodu Central, Lagos State
Oluwaseun Segun Adejuwon, Jatau Seikhan Nathan, Dr. Ajagun Olusegun Peter, Adebisi Gbenga Adejuwon · Oct 2026
- The Double Divide Revisited: Sector Composition, Within-Sector Adoption and Artificial Intelligence Use Among Minority- And Women-Owned U.S. Businesses
Olufemi Olumayowa Oni, Abimbola Usman, Olusegun Opeyemi Oni, Promise Okwarajiaku · Oct 2026