Market Access Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs in Calabar, Cross River State

This study examines the market access challenges encountered by women entrepreneurs operating small and medium enterprises in Calabar, Cross River State, South South Nigeria, investigating the specific barriers that limit women-owned businesses' ability to reach wider markets and grow beyond localised customer bases. Market access limitations are a well-documented constraint on women's entrepreneurship globally, yet the specific configuration of access barriers in Calabar's commercial environment, shaped by the city's port history, ethnic diversity, and relative economic formality, merits context-specific investigation. The study employs a descriptive survey design, administering a structured questionnaire to 160 women enterprise owners in Calabar Municipal and Calabar South Local Government Areas. The questionnaire assessed current market reach, identified access barriers, and examined support service utilisation. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were applied. Findings identify inadequate transportation infrastructure as the most severe market access barrier, particularly for entrepreneurs in food processing and crafts whose products require physical delivery. Limited business networking opportunities outside established ethnic trader groups restrict access to new customer segments. Digital market access is constrained by low e-commerce readiness. Women in regulated industries such as food processing report particular difficulty meeting formal certification and packaging standards required for supermarket supply. The study argues that market access barriers in Calabar compound gender disadvantages with sectoral and infrastructure constraints. Recommendations include the development of a Cross River State women's enterprise market access programme providing logistics, certification support, and digital commerce training. Keywords: market access, women entrepreneurs, Calabar, SME, gender barriers.