Immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to local economic development and poverty reduction through the creation of employment. However, immigrant businesses have a high failure rate. Government support programmes can enhance the performance of immigrant-owned businesses. The study examined the level of awareness of government support programmes by immigrant entrepreneurs. In addition, the study investigated the effect of owners' demographic factors (gender and level of education) on the awareness of government support programmes. The study utilised the quantitative research approach with a descriptive research design. The survey method was used for data collection. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data from the participants in the survey. The convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to identify the survey participants. One hundred and seventy-two participants participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and the independent samples T-test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that the vast majority of the immigrant entrepreneurs are not aware of the three major agencies that support small businesses in South Africa. Male immigrant entrepreneurs showed a slightly higher level of awareness of government agencies compared to female entrepreneurs. However, there was no statistically significant gender difference on the awareness of government support programmes by immigrant entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs with tertiary education showed a higher level of awareness compared to entrepreneurs with Matric or lower qualifications. The T-test results indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness based on the level of education. The study concluded that government support programmes are crucial for the growth and sustainability of immigrant small businesses. Government agencies were recommended to include immigrant entrepreneurs in their strategic and operational framework. Immigrant entrepreneurs were encouraged to actively search for government support programmes. © 2018 Allied Academies.

Awareness Immigrant South Africa Entrepreneurs Government support programmes

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