Socio-Demographic Factors Influencing Public Servants to Engage in Entrepreneurial Activities in the Mara Region, Tanzania

Abstract

Entrepreneurship among public servants in Tanzania’s Mara Region is increasingly becoming vital for economic diversification and poverty reduction. This study assessed the socio-demographic factors influencing public servants’ engagement in entrepreneurial activities in the Bunda District, utilizing a binary logistic regression model. A cross-sectional design employing mixed methods was used to collect data from 150 public servants using questionnaires and from ward executive officers through in-depth interviews. The study found that more than half (63.3%) of the respondents engaged in entrepreneurial activities. Based on binary logistic regression analysis, significant predictors of engagement in entrepreneurial activities among public servants include male sex (OR = 2.34, p = 0.010), married/divorced status (ORs = 2.46/4.27, p < 0.05), partner occupation (self-employed OR = 4.58, p = 0.002), and information access (OR = 3.56, p = 0.004). On the other hand, age, partner education, and social media use were non-significant. The study recommends entrepreneurial training and provision of affordable credit to public servants, particularly women and those in lower-income brackets, to enable them to initiate entrepreneurial ventures.