Micro Small-sized Enterprises and Bank Credit: Evidence from West Africa

Micro small-sized enterprises play a vital role in poverty reduction and development of many developing countries. Yet the issue of credit availability to small firms continues to be a major problem which impedes the growth of micro-small enterprises. This article examines the factors influencing the extension of bank credit to micro small-sized enterprises based on a sample of 572 in Ghana and Nigeria. The results indicate that size of the firm, age of the firm, ownership type and relationship banking have a positive bearing on a decision to extend credit to small firms in West Africa. JEL Classification: G21, N27