Challenges and opportunities for informal female entrepreneurs in Nigeria using the 5M framework.

James, Imaobong; Onoshakpor, Chioma

Abstract

This paper examines how informal female entrepreneurs (IFEs) navigate the intersecting challenges of informality, gender, and patriarchy and how they develop coping strategies to remain in business. We draw on the existing "5M" framework to highlight how the embeddedness of money, motherhood, management, market, and the macro/meso environment dimensions influence female entrepreneur's experiences in Nigeria. The interpretivist phenomenological approach is adopted to understand the challenges and opportunities available to IFEs in Nigeria. Preliminary data were collected using an online questionnaire, and 20 semi-structured interviews. The result uncovers several challenges, including institutional voids, high inflation rates, work-life balance and limited business opportunities. The findings demonstrate how IFEs streamline products and service offerings to suit perceived structural inequalities while developing coping strategies to remain in business. However, growth opportunities are evidenced through innovativeness and resource pooling within informal communities. This research recommends the opportunities available to IFEs, which could provide a better business environment if harnessed. In addition, we highlight the need for further research on female entrepreneurship in the context of developing economies. We advance research on the contextual embeddedness of informal female entrepreneurship in a unique context where patriarchal structures remain strong. Empirically, it contributes to the literature by examining the intersection of informality, gender and patriarchy to understand the complex nature of informal female entrepreneurship in Nigeria. It further provides insights into the challenges that lead to continuous informality using a gendered lens- 5M framework.

Citation

JAMES, I. and ONOSHAKPOR, C. [2025]. Challenges and opportunities for informal female entrepreneurs in Nigeria using the 5M framework. Journal of small business and enterprise development [online], EarlyCite. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-03-2024-0169

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 4, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 25, 2025
• Journal: Journal of small business and enterprise development
• Print ISSN: 1462-6004
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-03-2024-0169
• Keywords: Informal female entrepreneurship; Institutions; Entrepreneurship; Nigeria; 5M framework
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2695662