Microfinance-Poverty Nexus in Uganda: A Micro-Level Analysis

抄録

The study examines the microfinance-poverty nexus in Uganda and specifically focuses on effects of microcredit on the welfare of households taking into account their socio-demographic characteristics. The Heckman two-step selection modelling technique was applied on Uganda National Household Surveys (2005/2006&1999/2000) data. The results revealed that the poor as well as the wage earner are less likely to seek for credit services. Besides, microcredit borrowers who invested in productive activities significantly improved their welfare compared to those who used credit for consumption expenses. This result is further emphasized in the interactions of ‘loan amount’ and ‘repayment period’ in that the longer time loan recipients pay for the loan, the wealthier they become. The study suggests that access to microfinance is not enough weapon for improving people's wellbeing, but rather how the credit is utilised, and with appropriate repayment period are the key issues that need to be addressed if we are to make microcredit pro-poor.