Financial Accessibility and Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in Potiskum Local Government Area: Mediating Role of Entrepreneurial Orientation

Abstract

Entrepreneurship plays a vital role in fostering innovation, stimulating economic growth, and driving social progress by enabling individuals to translate ideas into successful business ventures. This study specifically explores how entrepreneurial orientation influences the connection between financial access and business performance among women entrepreneurs in Potiskum, Yobe State. The research gathered responses from 353 participants through a structured survey and analyzed the data using both descriptive statistics and PLS-SEM techniques. The analysis yielded several important insights. While financial accessibility itself did not show a direct relationship with entrepreneurial performance, the presence of entrepreneurial orientation emerged as a key factor. Both entrepreneurial orientation and ownership of formal
bank accounts demonstrated significant positive correlations with business performance. Interestingly, the use of loans did not appear to impact performance outcomes. Further examination revealed thatentrepreneurial orientation serves as a meaningful mediator between financial access and performance, as well as between account ownership and performance. However, no such mediating effect was found for loan utilization. These findings suggest practical implications for both entrepreneurs and policymakers. Women business owners could benefit from developing stronger entrepreneurial mindsets while taking advantage of formal financial services. At the same time, financial institutions and government agencies may consider designing programs that specifically enhance entrepreneurial orientation alongside improving access to financial resources, as this combination appears most likely to boost business success.