Zwane, Bonginkosi KeithNyide, Celani JohnSikwela, MiseryMantzaris, EvangelosFuyane, Nkululeko2024-10-132024-10-132024Zwane, B.K. et al. 2024. Financial bootstrapping as a sustainable livelihood alternative for agricultural co-operatives in an emerging economy. Corporate Governance and Sustainability Review. 8(2): 37-47. doi:10.22495/cgsrv8i2p32519-89712519-898X (Online)https://hdl.handle.net/10321/5605There is a scarcity of scholarly literature relating to financial bootstrapping in emerging economies, especially the use by co operatives in general and agricultural co-operatives in particular. As such, the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co operatives in South Africa, an emerging economy, remain unknown (Rwekaza, 2021; Zantsi, 2021). The aim of this study is to determine the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co-operatives. This study was undergirded by pragmatism, which allowed and guided the adoption of mixed-methods research. The qualitative aspect was given more priority or weight in answering the research questions, making it a quan → QUAL design. The study consisted of 52 agricultural co-operatives located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was found that agricultural co-operatives practised some of the bootstrapping methods, especially those related to owner-related financing. However, there is little or no evidence of bootstrapping practices related to sharing resources and minimising capital invested in stock and accounts receivable. The co-operatives stifled their growth as they employed counter-bootstrapping activities caused mainly by their unsubstantiated beliefs. This research furnishes rural cooperatives with operational capital-enhancing guidelines that promote success11 penAgricultural Co-OperativesCounter-bootstrapping activitiesDeveloping economyFinancial bootstrappingGrowthSustainabilityArticle2024-10-0110.22495/cgsrv8i2p3