An Engendered Examination of the Impact of Loadshedding on Local Small Medium Enterprises: A Case of Chongwe District

Abstract

Load shedding has emerged as a critical challenge affecting SME operations in Zambia, with potentially differentiated impacts based on gender. While studies have documented general effects of power outages on business operations, limited understanding exists of how these impacts vary between male and female-owned enterprises, particularly in peri-urban contexts like Chongwe District. This study examined gender-differentiated impacts of load shedding on SMEs, focusing on revenue changes, investment patterns, coping strategies, and implementation barriers. Following a pragmatic paradigm, the study employed a convergent mixed-methods design, combining quantitative data from 293 SME owners with qualitative insights from key informants at ZESCO, Ministry of SMEs, and Chongwe Municipal Council. The findings revealed substantial disparities in how gender influences business responses to load shedding, with female-owned businesses experiencing 45% higher revenue losses during outages and only 20.1% maintaining generator systems compared to 33.8% of male-owned enterprises. Analysis of operational patterns showed female entrepreneurs facing 40% higher operational costs during outages, while demonstrating greater reliance on schedule flexibility as an adaptation strategy. Investment analysis indicated that female business owners achieved 23% lower returns on power solution investments, primarily due to limited access to technical support and financial resources. Qualitative findings highlighted systematic barriers in accessing support mechanisms, with female entrepreneurs showing 35% lower utilization rates of available programs. The study recommends establishing gender-responsive financing mechanisms for power solutions, developing targeted technical support programs for female entrepreneurs, and creating mentorship networks to enhance knowledge sharing about effective mitigation strategies. Policy interventions should address structural barriers limiting female entrepreneurs' access to resources and support systems during power interruptions, while local authorities should implement gender-sensitive scheduling for power outages and create dedicated power-reliability zones in areas with high concentrations of female-owned businesses. Key Terms: Load Shedding, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Gender-differentiated Impact, Business Resilience, Power Mitigation Strategies