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The people targeted by enda inter-arabe are vulnerable, self-employed workers with very limited access to financial resources, to human development and training and coaching opportunities. A study conducted in 2008 on the living standards of enda-ia customers in urban areas demonstrated that about 60% of the households are below the Tunisian average in terms of spending per household.
Women remain the main target of enda-ia (73%). National statistics and surveys show that women are more vulnerable than men: less educated, less active (25% of the working population) and under-represented at decision-making levels (civil service 15%, private sector 10% and agricultural sector 16%).
A qualitative gender survey conducted among enda inter-arabe clients (enda gender survey/WWB 2008) in 2008 by Women’s World Banking, demonstrated vulnerability among women-run micro-enterprises in terms of stability and profitability. Most activities financed by enda-ia are in the informal sector, especially buying and selling. enda-ia is currently focusing on developing micro-enterprises in rural areas and is also taking measures to better target sectors such as production/handicrafts and services. This has reduced the share of the commercial sector to 53% of activities financed in 2009 (compared to 69% in 2005). In parallel, there has been a substantial increase in the share of livestock rearing: 15% in 2009 (3% in 2005) and services: 12% in 2009 (10% in 2005). Since 2007, enda inter-arabe has segmented its clients into two groups: "micro-enterprises" with a good potential for expansion and job creation, and income generating activities with little likelihood of evolving over time. Following a survey completed in 2008, these two segments have the following features and each has specific financing requirements.
- The first segment (30%) has a larger proportion of male micro-entrepreneurs and is composed of activities undertaken in premises that are separate from the home, with a more substantial share in services, employing more salaried workers and producing higher incomes.
- The second segment (around 70% of the total), is made up of clients working from home, not declared, with low incomes, mostly seasonal, and limited education and experience.
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