Microcredit as a Catalyst for Women's Entrepreneurship in Handicrafts Case of ANGEM of Tipaza (Algeria)

Abstract

This research focuses on the significance of microcredit in facilitating and financing women’s craft projects, particularly its ability to generate job opportunities. It examines the contribution of financial loans from the National Agency for Microcredit Management in Tipaza towards providing essential financial backing for small craft initiatives. The study evaluates 20 artisanal projects led by women that received funding from the Agency between 2015 and 2022. Our results reveal that microloans, which are interest-free, serve as a crucial option for artisans who struggle to secure financing from conventional banks. By avoiding interest charges, these loans empower women artisans to establish their own businesses, leading to a reduction in poverty and unemployment. The National Agency for Microcredit Management in Tipaza has played a pivotal role in job creation by delivering both financial assistance and moral support.