Effects of Capacity-Building Interventions on Business Outcomes for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities: Evidence from Western Kenyan Region

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is increasingly promoted as a pathway to economic inclusion for persons with disabilities (PWDs), yet access to finance remains a critical constraint limiting the growth and sustainability of disability-owned enterprises. While capacity-building programs are widely implemented to address these barriers, empirical evidence on their effectiveness, particularly in low and middle, income countries, remains limited. This study examines the relationship between capacity-building interventions and access to loans among entrepreneurs with disabilities in Kenya in western region, using a dataset of 1,389 program beneficiaries across multiple counties. The analysis focuses on four interventions: onboarding, boot camps, one-on-one coaching, Mentorship and group discussions. Descriptive statistics and visual analytics were used in the study. The study compares loan access outcomes across intervention types and demographic subgroups. The findings reveal that loan access occurred exclusively among entrepreneurs who participated in one-on-one coaching or group discussion sessions, while no loan uptake was observed among non-participants. Further dis-aggregation indicates disparities by gender, education level, disability status, and geographic location. The study concludes that while capacity building interventions, particularly customized and relational approaches are associated with ameliorated financial access, training alone is scarcity to overcome structural barriers to inclusive finance. The findings carry important implications for policymakers, development practitioners, and financial institutions seeking to promote inclusive entrepreneurship.