This paper examined whether factors like infrastructure, training and advice, willingness to pay,rnattitude of members of Micro and Small Enterprises .(MSEs) towards their work, leadershiprnÂ·competence and .gender difference resulted in performance difference of MSEs engaged in so lidrnwaste management service . .1'1. sample of eight MSEs with a focus group of 72 respondents inrnNifas. Silk Lafto Sub City, Addis Ababa was used purposely. The selected MSEs were dividedrninto . best and least performing based on the criteria developed by. Addis Ababa Â· SanitationrnAdministration Agency; and Nifas Silk Lafto Sub City and Kebeles Offices. The criteriarnincluded amount of solid waste collected, income, efficient coverage of zones, motivation tornwork, proper use of equipment . and customer satisfaction. The results from the wholernmembership data and interview indicated that gender difference in each MSE lmd its own effectrnon their performance difference because women had additional reproductive and social rolesrnunlike their men counterparts. The results also indicated that the existed performance differencesrnof the MSEs were due to difference in the condition of infrastructure, provision of technicalrnsupport, relationship with customers, and provision of proper waste collection service. The paperrnadvocates. for application of gender based affirmative action for improved soUd wasternmanagement system tluough proper monitoring of the service. Finally, the research suggestsrnappropriate lines of action on the provision of teclmical support, increase in public awarenessrn.and provision of facilities and ensures sustainability of MSEs driven solid waste managementrnscheme in the sub city and Addis Ababa.