Can E-transfers Promote Financial Inclusion in Emergencies: A Case Study from Zimbabwe
This case study explores a humanitarian assistance project implemented by Save the Children Zimbabwe between October 2014 and July 2015 designed to support consumption and food security among 6,500 vulnerable households in through conditional and unconditional cash transfers delivered through mobile money.
The research included household surveys with 315 recipients (81% women); focus group discussions (FDGs) with 29 recipients (52% women); and key informant interviews with ten Save the Children staff, service providers, and other stakeholders. The case study was conducted over a brief timeframe with the goal of taking a “snapshot” to understand any continued mobile money usage among cash transfer recipients. This case study relied heavily on qualitative research to examine uptake and usage of mobile money among cash transfer recipients and to identify critical barriers and enabling factors affecting uptake and usage.
The research focused on three key questions:
- To what extent do e-transfer programs influence the use of mobile money among cash transfer recipients?
- What are the key barriers and enabling factors that influence recipients’ uptake and use of mobile money services?
- What measures can and should be implemented in humanitarian e-transfer programs to overcome the barriers to uptake and use?
