Date of Conferral

2017

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Teresa Lao

Abstract

Poverty alleviation in Buea, Cameroon, has been a problem of concern for decades. The study is vital because managers who control the funds given to the government of Cameroon to help reduce poverty are politicians and do not equitably distribute the funds to all on the pretext that the default rate is high. The purpose of this study was to find better ways to make additional capital available to the microbusiness owners of Buea to open or improve businesses. This qualitative case study design was consistent with the aim of understanding the importance of risk management within the microfinance industry and the risks involved in getting loans and paying them back. The key research question concerned how the microbusiness owners of Buea can obtain additional capital to open new businesses or improve existing businesses. The conceptual framework for this study was Rostow's theory of modernization. Twenty purposively sampled loan officers, bank managers, government officials, and microbusiness owners in Buea were interviewed. Six participants from the population also participated in a focus group. Study findings suggest it is possible for microbusiness owners in Buea to get microloans and start or improve businesses with the use of land titles as collateral or family members as cosigners. The government of Cameroon could improve the financial stability of microbusinesses by facilitating the issuance of land titles or certificates, which are acceptable forms of collateral. This study may contribute to positive social change by improving the financial stability of microbusinesses in Cameroon, and possibly in other socially similar countries.

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