Barriers to "last mile" financial inclusion: cases from northern Kenya. Issue 8 (17th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tiwari, Jaya; Schaub, Emily; Sultana, Naziha
• Is Part Of: Development in practice. Volume 29:Issue 8(2019)
• Page Start: 988
• Page End: 1000
• Publication Date: 2019-11-17
• Subjects: Environment (built and natural) – Climate change, Food security -- Gender and diversity -- Labour and livelihoods – Poverty reduction -- Social sector -- Technology -- Sub-Saharan Africa; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; 338.91091724
• DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2019.1654432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-4524

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Financial products and services empower women to grow businesses, survive shocks, accumulate wealth, and take more control over their finances. The BOMA Project supports ultra-poor women in northern Kenya through business and savings groups and a digital financial product. Participants substantially increased income and savings, leading to increased household decision-making power, and education and nutrition expenditure. However, BOMA also observed that illiteracy, innumeracy, and unfamiliarity with technology were barriers to full uptake of the digital product. BOMA's experience highlights the need for simpler tools designed thoughtfully for the target population, and time for participants to learn to use them.