Determinants of the Sustainability of Congolese VSEs and SMEs: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Léon Mayeko and Garincha Neskens Mayekol

The purpose of this study is to analyse the factors that can influence the sustainability of very small businesses (VSEs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Congo.

Double least squares are the method used, based on census data from the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Crafts and the Informal Sector and the National Institute of Statistics.

The results obtained show that the amount of capital invested, greater than or equal to five million CFA francs, has a positive influence on the duration of activity of Congolese VSEs and SMEs.

The results of our estimates may seem uncertain, as they do not allow us to identify the key factors that enable businesses to be sustainable. Similarly, how can the lack of an entrepreneurial culture, which is criticised in African countries, be considered when analysing sustainability.

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