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The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry

Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025.

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Other Authors: Myres, Kerrin
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2026
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Myres, Kerrin
author_browse Myres, Kerrin
author_facet Myres, Kerrin
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria.
description Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:49.221Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2026
publishDateRange 2026
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/109116 The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry Myres, Kerrin ichelp@gibs.co.za Mmako, Xoli UCTD Financial literacy Credit access Informal sector Human capital theory Financial inclusion Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2025. The aim of this study is to investigate how financial literacy affects the ability of taxi operators in South Africa's informal sector to gain access to formal credit. Although the taxi industry is of considerable economic importance to South Africa, many operators experience obstacles when trying to obtain formal funding. Qualitative research was used, which involved conducting in-depth interviews with 15 taxi operators to examine their experiences, beliefs and practices concerning finance. A thematic analysis of the data collected from the interviews demonstrated that although most participants reported having some basic knowledge of financial management, there existed large knowledge gaps regarding formal financing options. Taxi operators experienced structural barriers to formal financing, these included extensive documentation required, demands for collateral, limited or no credit history and so forth. These structural barriers were exacerbated by taxi operator negative views of formal financing institutions (e.g. mistrust, discriminatory treatment and complexity of processes). As a result, taxi operators relied extensively upon informal financial arrangements (e.g., stokvels and private lending networks) to manage their finances and obtain capital. Furthermore, the results of the study indicated that those with higher levels of financial literacy had better business plans, had greater access to formal financing and were able to withstand financial difficulties better than other taxi operators. The results of the study emphasize the necessity of developing tailored financial literacy programs, adapting formal financing arrangements to accommodate informal businesses and implementing initiatives to build trust between formal financing institutions and informal businesses to increase access to formal financing opportunities. Therefore, recommendations based on the findings of the study include the establishment of financially accessible educational programs for informal businesses, the modification of formal lending criteria to be compatible with the needs of informal businesses and the creation of an environment that is conducive to financial inclusion for informal businesses. The study contributes to the body of literature that examines financial inclusion in the informal economy and emphasizes the significance of implementing context-specific measures to facilitate the long-term growth and sustainability of taxi operators. Ultimately, the study concludes that increasing the level of financial literacy of informal business owners, through the implementation of inclusive financial systems, will be necessary to empower informal business owners and contribute to overall economic development in South Africa. Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) MBA Unrestricted Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth 2026-03-23T09:07:29Z 2026-03-23T09:07:29Z 2026-05-05 2025 Mini Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109116 en © 2025 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
Financial literacy
Credit access
Informal sector
Human capital theory
Financial inclusion
The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title_full The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title_fullStr The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title_full_unstemmed The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title_short The influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal Sector - the taxi Industry
title_sort influence of financial literacy on formal credit accessibility in the informal sector the taxi industry
topic UCTD
Financial literacy
Credit access
Informal sector
Human capital theory
Financial inclusion
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/109116