Title: Factors influencing women's participation in savings groups in the peri-urban area of Gatumba in Burundi

Authors: Arcade Ndoricimpa; Michel Armel Ndayikeza; Esther Leah Achandi; Jean Claude Nyamweru; Charles Kabwigiri

Addresses: Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Burundi, 2 Avenue de l'UNESCO, Bujumbura, Burundi ' Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Burundi, 2 Avenue de l'UNESCO, Bujumbura, Burundi ' International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Burundi, 55 Avenue du Japon, Bujumbura, Burundi ' Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Burundi, 2 Avenue de l'UNESCO, Bujumbura, Burundi ' Faculty of Economics and Management, University of Burundi, 2 Avenue de l'UNESCO, Bujumbura, Burundi

Abstract: Savings groups are a pathway to women's financial inclusion, which is still very low in Burundi. Savings groups enhance women's empowerment through enabling their participation in income-generating and other entrepreneurial activities. This study examines the factors affecting women's participation in savings groups in the peri-urban area of Gatumba in Burundi. The study uses survey collected data on 441 women. A binary logit model for women's participation in savings and credit groups is specified. The results indicate that individual and community characteristics such as age, education, occupation, distance to the nearest bank, presence of a loan shark, and presence of a cooperative, are the main determinants of women's participation in savings groups. The findings from this study may help policymakers to promote women's participation in savings groups in Burundi.

Keywords: savings groups; women; Gatumba; Burundi.

DOI: 10.1504/AJESD.2025.149253

African Journal of Economic and Sustainable Development, 2025 Vol.10 No.3, pp.284 - 306

Accepted: 12 May 2025
Published online: 20 Oct 2025 *

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