Abstract:
This study examines the mobile phone usage and its impact on micro enterprise performance in
Tanzania. The study was conducted at Moshi Municipality, Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. A
descriptive research design was employed whereby a total of 70 micro entrepreneurs who are
belonging to any of the following categories: secondhand clothing, shoes and handbags, food
vendors and saloon owners were randomly selected. Questionnaire and interview techniques
were used as research tools in gathering quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data
derived from closed ended questionnaires were analyzed into percentages while qualitative
analysis was done through content analysis to identify, examine, interpret the pattern and
themes from the interview and open ended questionnaires. Findings show that mobile phone
services contribute positively to micro enterprises business performance. 87% of the
respondents used mobile phones services mainly for business purposes. Furthermore, findings
revealed that the more the use of mobile phone services by micro entrepreneurs the more the
business successes. However the study shows low perceived problems of using mobile phones
were encountered by micro entrepreneurs. The study recommends that there is a need to have
an awareness campaign on the uses of mobile phones in business activities at grassroots level.
