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Artificial intelligence (AI) offers truly transformative and exciting possibilities for enhancing business success across various economic sectors. However, the exact effect of AI on digital entrepreneurship, especially in microfinance of developing economies, remains relatively unknown. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities theory, structural equation modelling and regression tests, the effect of AI-powered dashboards, AI-powered chatbots and AI-powered content creation on digital entrepreneurship was explored within microfinance contexts in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study adopted a positivism philosophy, a quantitative strategy and a cross-sectional survey design using 350 questionnaires. Findings suggest that AI-powered dashboards, AI-powered chatbots and AI-powered content creation positively influence digital entrepreneurship. The findings of this study have implications for theory, policy and practice. The study advances the theorisation of micro-entrepreneurship by demonstrating how AI capabilities leverage the operations and innovations of microfinance institutions (MFIs) within under-studied contexts of developing countries such as Zimbabwe, to enhance faster adaptation amid digital disruption. The chapter advances policy dialogue by recommending the development of AI’s internal capacities of microfinance institutions to benefit from technological opportunities, improve credit scoring and fraud detection, while enhancing the agility of their business models. The chapter recommends the provision of institutional and regulatory support to reduce financial risk while enabling AI adoption. Zimbabwe’s policy institutions must focus on enabling MFIs to build and strengthen their dynamic capabilities through strengthening digital infrastructure, relaxed regulations, data governance policies, national AI literacy and upskilling programmes, facilitating access to AI tools and funding and promoting collaboration. The focus on one industry in one country could limit the wider applicability of the findings, even though methodological and analytical rigour improved the relevance of the evidence provided in this chapter.

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The Effect of Artificial Intelligence on Digital Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Microfinance Institutions in Zimbabwe

  • 章节

  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Wilbert Manyanga,
  • Ephrem Habtemichael Redda,
  • Masimba Elvis Manyangara,
  • James Kanyepe,
  • Tendai Manyanga,
  • Munyaradzi Chibaro,
  • Chenjerai Muchenje

摘要

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers truly transformative and exciting possibilities for enhancing business success across various economic sectors. However, the exact effect of AI on digital entrepreneurship, especially in microfinance of developing economies, remains relatively unknown. Drawing on the dynamic capabilities theory, structural equation modelling and regression tests, the effect of AI-powered dashboards, AI-powered chatbots and AI-powered content creation on digital entrepreneurship was explored within microfinance contexts in Harare, Zimbabwe. The study adopted a positivism philosophy, a quantitative strategy and a cross-sectional survey design using 350 questionnaires. Findings suggest that AI-powered dashboards, AI-powered chatbots and AI-powered content creation positively influence digital entrepreneurship. The findings of this study have implications for theory, policy and practice. The study advances the theorisation of micro-entrepreneurship by demonstrating how AI capabilities leverage the operations and innovations of microfinance institutions (MFIs) within under-studied contexts of developing countries such as Zimbabwe, to enhance faster adaptation amid digital disruption. The chapter advances policy dialogue by recommending the development of AI’s internal capacities of microfinance institutions to benefit from technological opportunities, improve credit scoring and fraud detection, while enhancing the agility of their business models. The chapter recommends the provision of institutional and regulatory support to reduce financial risk while enabling AI adoption. Zimbabwe’s policy institutions must focus on enabling MFIs to build and strengthen their dynamic capabilities through strengthening digital infrastructure, relaxed regulations, data governance policies, national AI literacy and upskilling programmes, facilitating access to AI tools and funding and promoting collaboration. The focus on one industry in one country could limit the wider applicability of the findings, even though methodological and analytical rigour improved the relevance of the evidence provided in this chapter.