Petty Trading and Female Economic Empowerment in Nsukka Urban: An Econometric Analysis

Petty trading constitutes a primary livelihood strategy for a significant proportion of urban women in Nigeria, serving simultaneously as a vehicle for income generation and economic self-sufficiency. This study conducts an econometric analysis of the relationship between petty trading and female economic empowerment in Nsukka urban area, Enugu State, with data spanning 2021 to 2024. The study is anchored on the Human Capital Theory, which contends that investments in productive activities enhance individual earning capacity and long-term economic agency. A cross-sectional survey research design was adopted, targeting female petty traders operating in Nsukka urban markets. From an estimated population of 6,400 female traders, a sample of 375 respondents was selected using proportionate stratified random sampling. Structured questionnaires served as the primary data instrument. Binary logistic regression was applied to determine the predictors of economic empowerment among respondents. Findings reveal that trading duration, access to credit, and household decision-making authority are the strongest predictors of female economic empowerment among petty traders. Over 61 percent of respondents reported improved household welfare and reduced economic dependence on male partners following sustained engagement in petty trade. Nevertheless, insecurity, harassment by local government revenue officers, and insufficient capital were major structural barriers. The study concludes that petty trading is a viable pathway to female economic empowerment in urban Nsukka. It is recommended that local government councils formalize market spaces and extend microfinance support specifically designed for urban female traders.

Keywords: Petty trading, female economic empowerment, human capital, Nsukka, microfinance