Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess the factors affecting performance of women Micro and
Small Enterprises (MSEs) in Arusha District Council. Specifically, the study intended to achieve
three specific objectives including;toexamine performance of women micro and small
enterprises in Arusha DC, to assess role of local governments in promoting performance of
micro and small enterprises, to determine influence of entrepreneurial skills on performance of
micro and small enterprises.The study Theory was Complexity Theory andThis study involve
quantitative ApproachThis study adopted an explanatory research design and it involved a total
of 111 respondents, who were owners of MSEs. Data were collected using a questionnaire.
Findings revealed that MSEs performed fairly well with average sales of TZS 151,837 TZS per
day and net worth of TZS 2,583,666. Business supportive services offered by Arusha District
Council were perceived not to influence business performance. Informal networking skills were
found to have negative effect on business performance while strategic business
communication skills had positive effect. The study concluded that local government did not
provide enough supportive services to enhance performance of micro and small business. It
was also concluded that not all types of skills do promote performance of micro and small
enterprises. Arusha City Council should create better environment which can harness growth
of MSEs through provision of utilities and training programs which are geared towards
acquisition of skills. Owners of MSEs should also strive to acquire business communication
skills through participation in relevant entrepreneurial skills
