Empowering small-scale women entrepreneurs through ICTs for socio-economic development

Abstract

Women entrepreneurs are recognized as drivers for sustainable and inclusive socio-economic growth. Despite this, Small-Scale Women Entrepreneurs (SSWEs) undergo challenges in the current global market due to limited access and use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs). The disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is fuelling fast-paced innovation and uptake of digital technologies in all spheres of life indicating that the widespread shift to the use of more ICTs is indispensable. This is becoming increasingly clear that SSWEs are under considerable pressure in meeting business demands in the new reality. The study employed desktop research using mixed methods and descriptive approach to establish the role of SSWEs; the factors affecting SSWEs in socio-economic development and analyze the potential ICTs opportunities as tools for empowering SSWEs. The article explores how SSWEs can benefit from integrating E-business and digital marketing to foster communication and business. An analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of SSWEs in relation to ICT4D is provided and the study recommends how to foster strategies and initiatives to promote SSWEs empowerment.