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Decentralized delivery of financial education: Experimental evidence from Rwanda

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  • Hakizimfura, Emmanuel
  • Randall, Douglas
  • Zia, Bilal

Abstract

We implement a large-scale field experiment with 200 Savings and Credit Cooperative Associations (SACCOs) in Rwanda, and test competing models of local financial education delivery. One-third of SACCOs were invited to a comprehensive training-of-trainers (TOT) workshop and stipulated to send the SACCO manager, a loan officer, and a community board member to be trained. Another one-third were allowed free selection of trainers, which resulted in greater community representation and lower loan officer involvement at the TOT and higher attendance rates at the beneficiary trainings. We find no improvements in financial practices or behavior among the fixed selection group, but statistically significant and larger improvements in financial planning, rules of thumb, and savings deposits among the autonomous selection group. Qualitative fieldwork to understand mechanisms underscores the importance of community-led delivery of the financial education program.

Suggested Citation

  • Hakizimfura, Emmanuel & Randall, Douglas & Zia, Bilal, 2020. "Decentralized delivery of financial education: Experimental evidence from Rwanda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:144:y:2020:i:c:s030438781831277x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2020.102439
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Boyd, Chris M. & Díez-Amigo, Sandro, 2023. "Effectiveness of free financial education provided by for-profit financial institutions: Experimental evidence from rural Peru," Economics of Education Review, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Financial education; Decentralization; Community-led delivery; Savings and credit cooperative associations; Randomized control trial;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development

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