THE ROLE OF INFORMAL URBAN MARKET STRUCTURES IN FACILITATING WOMEN'S ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Abstract: Nairobi, one of Africa's fastest developing urban centers, is home to many business organizations contributing to Kenya's economic and social development. A country is rapidly experiencing an economic shift; Kenya heavily relies on the informal economic sector, with small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs) being the most significant sector contributing to economic development. Like in many African nations, it has been shown that women are the most significant players in the urban informal sector, where they trade in different goods and services either as owners, managers, or employees. As such, they are the largest workforce that contributes to the country's economic growth. Facilitating women’s entrepreneurship means improving the sector, enhancing growth, and reducing poverty. This research aimed to determine the roles informal urban market structures play in facilitating women's entrepreneurship in Nairobi. Using a case study of the city and a systematic review of literature, the research finds that informal market structures play multiple roles that encourage and facilitate women to be involved in the informal market and contribute to the fight against poverty in the country.