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on Microfinance |
| By: | Elikplimi K. Agbloyor (University of Ghana Business School, Ghana); Simplice A. Asongu (Yaoundé, Cameroon); Peter Muriu (University of Nairobi, Kenya) |
| Abstract: | This study provides insights into the sustainability of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Africa with specific emphasis on documented measures of MFI sustainability, stylized facts surrounding the phenomenon, perspectives on the growth of MFIs, determinants of the growth of MFIs and the impact of MFIs. |
| Keywords: | Sustainability; Growth; MFIs; Africa |
| Date: | 2021–08 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:exs:wpaper:21/083&r= |
| By: | Pushkar Maitra (Monash University); Sandip Mitra (Indian Statistical Institute); Dilip Mookherjee (Boston University); Sujata Visaria (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology) |
| Abstract: | We conduct a field experiment in India comparing two approaches to appointing a local commission agent to select eligible smallholder farmers for a subsidized credit program: a private trader in TRAIL, versus a political appointee in GRAIL. Both schemes had similar loan take-up, repayments and similar treatment effects on borrowing and farm output, but farmers' profits increased significantly only in the TRAIL scheme. This is explained by a larger reduction in the unit costs of production. While there is evidence that the TRAIL agent selected farmers of higher productivity, differences in selection (on productivity or other relevant attributes) is unable to explain much of the observed differences in average treatment effects on farmer profits. We explain the larger treatment effects in TRAIL conditional on selection, as the result of the TRAIL agents' superior motivation and their capacity to offer treated farmers' business advice and lower their production costs. |
| Keywords: | Targeting, Intermediation, Decentralization, Community Driven Development, Agricultural Credit |
| JEL: | H42 I38 O13 O16 O17 |
| Date: | 2021–12 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:mos:moswps:2021-19&r= |
| By: | Philip; Roessler; Peter; Carroll; Flora; Myamba; Cornel; Jahari; Blandina; Kilama; Daniel; Nielson |
| Abstract: | We study the causal impact of reducing the mobile gender gap. Leveraging one of the first large-scale experimental studies on women’s mobile phone ownership, we find that in Tanzania over thirteen months smartphones increased households’ annual consumption per capita by 20% compared to control. Consumption gains operated through women’s control and use of the smartphones. However, treatment effects were attenuated by handset turnover. By endline only 34% in the smartphone condition still possessed their handsets. This highlights the economic benefits of closing the mobile gender gap but also the tenuous nature of productive asset ownership for women in low-income households. |
| Keywords: | finance and microfinance; climate change; anticipatory humanitarian action |
| JEL: | J16 L96 O12 O33 |
| Date: | 2021 |
| URL: | http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:csa:wpaper:2021-05&r= |