Assessing the Effect of Rural Electrification Adoption on the Growth of Micro-Enterprises in Tanzania: A Case Study of the Grain Milling Business in Kisarawe District, Tanzania

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of rural electrification adoption on the growth of micro-enterprises in Tanzania, a case study of grain milling business in Kisarawe district. Specifically, the study aimed at examining social and economic factors affecting accessibility of rural electrification adoption, the reliability of rural electrification, and the perception on rural electrification adoption in Kisarawe grain milling business. A non-probability sampling technique was deployed and the required sample was selected using purposive sampling method. The obtained data were analyzed quantitatively using descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression analysis. Generally, it was found that socioeconomic factors had a strong significant relationship (R-Squire 0.886; p-value < 0.0001) with the adoption of rural electrification in the studied area; a significant strong correlation between the reliability of electricity and the adoption of rural electrification (R-Squire = 0.724; p-value < 0.0001) while users' perceptions have significant (p-value = 0.021) and moderate (R-Squire = 0.548) effects on the adoption of rural electrification.The study recommends that to rural electrifications should guarantee that their workers are educated and knowledgeable in community mobilization and public relations to improve public opinion of rural electrifications and to urge communities to apply for power connections. Project implementers must include community engagement in their project designs, implementation, and other decision-making processes to foster a sense of ownership and assure the sustainability of rural electrifications. Rural electrification project implementers must also ensure that monitoring is an intrinsic element of their initiatives.