CHALLENGES FACED BY TECHNICAL-SKILL-BASED SMEIS IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES: INSIGHTS FROM SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA

The purpose of this paper was to identify the challenges of technical-skill-based small- and medium-sized entrepreneurs and industrialists (ts-smeis) in the south-south region of nigeria. adopting a mixed methodology, one hundred ninety-eight ts-smeis were surveyed. over thirty focus group discussions consisting of craftsmen and artisan grouped were held. like in other climes, smeis in south-south nigeria are beset with many challenges including: inadequate institutional support, poor infrastructure, limited access to finance, low level of technology adoption, and insufficient innovation. however, contrary to previously held positions, ts-smeis listed lack of workspace as the most important impediment to their business success. expanding technopreneurship ecosystem in south-south nigeria will mean addressing many problems that current and potential ts-smeis face. we recommend the: provision of access to affordable financial services; building the technological infrastructure; supporting the entrepreneurial process; and building capacity of the ts-smeis. lastly, this study provides an opportunity to gain insight directly from the voice of the ts-smeis in south-south nigeria themselves, to understand better their needs, and make relevant recommendations for improvements. it is envisaged that this will lead to technology driven development of the region.