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Abstract
Small-scale enterprises owned by women account for a substantial share of economic activity in Enugu State, yet bank credit remains marginal to their capital structure. This study examined the constraints limiting women entrepreneurs’ access to bank finance in Enugu and the consequences of restricted access for enterprise growth. Guided by credit rationing theory, pecking order theory, and the gender-based growth model, a cross-sectional survey of 392 women-owned small-scale enterprises in the Enugu urban corridor yielded 342 usable questionnaires (87.2%). The 43-item BFCWEQ covered seven constructs (α =.81–.90; CR =.86–.93). Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple and hierarchical regression, and ANOVA. Collateral and documentation requirements were the most severe constraint (M = 4.21, SD = 0.62), followed by cost of credit (M = 4.08, SD = 0.67). Five constraint domains jointly explained 45.8% of the variance in access to bank credit, F(5, 336) = 56.71, p <.001, f² = 0.84. Access added 24.4% unique variance to growth performance, ΔR² =.244, F(1, 337) = 128.88, p <.001, f² = 0.38, and differed across sectors, F(3, 338) = 12.22, p <.001, η² =.098. The binding constraint is the non-price screening architecture of bank lending rather than the price of credit. Movable-collateral lending, cash-flow underwriting, and sector-sensitive product design are recommended.