Financing Businesses in Africa : The Role of Microfinance

Aggarwal, Shilpa ; Klapper, Leora ; Singer, Dorothe

关键词: ABSENCE OF CREDIT;    ACCESS TO BANKING;    ACCESS TO BANKING SERVICES;    ACCESS TO CREDIT;    ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES;   

DOI  :  10.1596/1813-9450-5975
RP-ID  :  WPS5975

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

This paper evaluates how microfinanceperformed in providing business financing in 27 Sub-SaharanAfrican countries. It uses data from the 2009 and 2010Gallup World Poll, a nationally-representative survey of atleast 1,000 individuals per country, conducted in up to 157countries per year. The data, supported by rigorousstatistical evidence in related literature on the use ofmicrocredit around the world, demonstrate that economicgains from microcredit have been more modest than what wasonce believed. On the other hand, the analysis suggests thatthe poor save in order to start new businesses and that theintroduction of formal products for small savings can be akey financial innovation. The authors also analyze thechallenges the poor face in setting money aside to save, anddiscuss what policymakers can do to promote savings.