iiG Briefing Paper 27. Do community based microfinance groups work for their members?

From:: Department for International Development
Published: 1 January 2015

Country:: Malawi
Document Type:: Briefing
Theme:: Economic Growth
Authors:: Cassidy, R.

Abstract

Many development practitioners currently promote community-based microfinance initiatives – such as ‘Self-Help Groups’ and ‘Village Savings and Loan Associations’ – as a way to expand financial access to poor populations in rural areas. We recently surveyed community-based microfinance groups in northern Malawi, to investigate patterns of membership and how individuals are using these groups for saving and borrowing.

Citation

Cassidy, R. iiG Briefing Paper 27. Do community based microfinance groups work for their members? CSAE Economics Department, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK (2015) 2 pp.