Abstract:
Purpose – The main purpose of this research is to investigate factors influencing rural women
entrepreneurship development and sustainable rural livelihoods in Manicaland province of Zimbabwe.
Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research was conducted in Manicaland province in
Zimbabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 400 women entrepreneurs in various
sectors. The participants were in vegetable vending, operating clothing flea markets and cross border trading.
A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. Structural equation
modeling in SmartPLS version 3 was used to test the research hypotheses.
Findings – The study established that women entrepreneurship is driven by financial factors, positive
environmental factors, positive psychological factors as well as positive sociological factors for a sustainable
rural livelihood.
Research limitations/implications – It is clear that if the discovered challenges are not addressed,
sustainability of women entrepreneurship will remain a dream.
Practical implications – The study came up with strategies for improving women entrepreneurship
activities. Future research can be done in other areas of provinces to avoid generalization challenges
