Microfinance for microenterprises? Investigating the usefulness of microfinance services for microenterprises in Bolivia

Despite uncertainty about whether or not microenterprises (MEs) contribute to economic growth, it is believed that MEs contribute to human development. This research paper investigates how microfinance helps microenterprise owners in Bolivia achieve certain aspects of human development. Credit services are shown to be particularly helpful for microenterprise owners in this regard; however fieldwork constraints made it impossible to determine the role of savings services. This study enhances the discussion on microfinance for microenterprises because it considers MEs from a human development perspective instead of the typical income-poverty reduction view. Moreover, it highlights the voice of microfinance program staff and participants by following participatory program evaluation methods.