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The purpose of this paper was to formulate porridge using orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP), soybean and moringa ingredients that optimizes its nutritional quality and acceptability.

A 16-run constrained D-optimal mixture design was used to evaluate proximate compositions and sensory acceptability of the products. Each composition and acceptability response variable was optimized separately, and then, the sweet spot that optimizes all was determined.

The protein, fiber, total ash, carbohydrate, iron and carotenoid contents as well as major sensory quality indicators were significantly affected by soybean, moringa and OFSP blends. However, the influence of the mixture on fat content was weak. Sensory acceptability was high for porridges processed from high OFSP and soybean, but higher nutritional quality was obtained from higher moringa levels. Graphical optimization showed that blends containing 68-75 per cent OFSP, 17-26 per cent soybean and 5-8 per cent moringa have produced nutrient enriched porridges with desirable sensory quality.

The study showed that OFSP, soybean and moringa have a potential for making protein, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, pro-vitamin A carotenoids and iron enriched product that will contribute to the fight against malnutrition in developing nations such as Ethiopia. In addition, having OFSP in the blend masks undesirable odor and taste imparted by moringa.

This study aimed to explore the importance of various factors considered in the bank selection decisions of micro- and small-sized enterprises (MSEs) in Ethiopia.

The study used a structured questionnaire to collect data from 300 MSEs selected through a convenience sampling technique. Descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis and linear regression analysis methods are used to identify the most important factors determining bank selection by MSEs.

The results of exploratory factor analysis revealed that the availability of credit at a reasonable interest rate, lower service charges and the availability of better automated teller machine (ATM) services are the priorities of MSEs in their bank selection decisions. In addition, the results of regression analysis indicated that price competitiveness is the most important factor determining bank selection decisions of MSEs.

This study has two major limitations: first, due to resource constraints, the samples included in this study were taken only from the capital city of the country, Addis Ababa. As customer preferences are likely to vary from region to region, future studies could be carried out by including samples from other cities and rural areas of the country. Second, the study relied on a single data collection instrument. The use of additional data collection instruments, such as interviews and focus group discussions, could provide additional insights into the topic.

Commercial banks need to devise a flexible lending policy and set affordable interest rates and collateral requirements to meet the credit needs of MSEs. MSEs, on the other hand, need to improve their bankability by improving their operating and financial reporting practices. Further research can be conducted by covering other cities and the rural parts of the country.

The topic of bank selection has not been explored with a specific reference to MSEs in Ethiopia. The present study addressed this gap by investigating the factors influencing bank selection decisions of MSEs.