Entrepreneurs Health and Productivity in Nigeria: Analysis of Microfinance Bank Contribution

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of microfinance bank health related services on micro and small enterprise owners#x2019; productivity. Productivity is measured as output value over resource input value. The paper employed panel data and multiple regression analysis to analyze a survey of 502 randomly selected entrepreneurs whose enterprise are finance by microfinance banks in Nigeria. We find strong evidence that microfinance bank health related programmes have positive correlation with productivity of micro and small entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Participation in health related services such as health education and health finance are found to have positive impact on entrepreneurs#x2019; productivity, while microfinance bank linkages with health services provider and entrepreneurs access to health product through microfinance bank are microfinance banks health related services that are yet to be developed well developed by the microfinance banks . The paper recommends that a well structured health seminar and training programmes should be embedded in all Microfinance programme to further enhance productivity of entrepreneurs in Nigeria and partner with Insurance Companies in the country to provide quality health insurance services affordable to MFBs#x2019; client. This will guarantee the clients#x2019; access the health services when the need arise.