The livelihood impacts of cash transfers in sub-Saharan Africa: beneficiary perspectives from six countries

Cash transfers (CTs) are a social protection mechanism to reduce the poorest households’ vulnerability to shocks and build human capital by smoothing consumption and sustaining expenditure on education and social welfare. Our study examines whether and how CTs go beyond welfare objectives to promote livelihoods. Presenting a cross-case analysis using original qualitative data on beneficiary perspectives from six African countries - Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Ghana – we explore CT livelihood impacts within household economies and social networks, paying attention to gender issues. We find that a small but predictable flow of cash improves strategic livelihood choices and stimulates productive investments, including through positive effects on beneficiary entry into risk-sharing arrangements and networks for economic collaboration. Levels of household vulnerability and labour constraint nevertheless significantly mediate the ability of CTs to consolidate present livelihood outcomes. The varying availability of economic opportunities and effective programme implementation also shape livelihood impact. Incorporating beneficiary perspectives brings to the fore the multi-dimensionality of CT effects on experiences of poverty and deprivation, including gender dynamics and intangibles such as dignity and respect; they add powerful realism to the influence of the CT on both immediate survival and livelihood choices. Beyond this, they confirm wider knowledge on productive impact and bring nuance to the conditions under which, and mechanisms by which beneficiaries’ use CTs to build productive capability and assets and to make strategic livelihood choices

Qualitative research and analysis of the economic impacts of cash transfer programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa: Kenya country study report

This report presents analysis and findings from a qualitative research case study conducted in July 2012 in Kenya, the second of a six country study of the economic impact of cash transfer programmes in Sub Saharan Africa. Starting in 2004, the Kenya Cash Transfer Orphans and Vulnerable Children (CT-OVC) programme provides a social protection system through regular and predictable cash transfers (US$24 every two months) to poor households living with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). By 2012/13, CT-OVC was reaching almost 150,000 beneficiary households across 39 districts nationwide. The study was led by Oxford Policy Management for the Food and Agricultural Organisation

Getting the most out of participatory impact assessment: reflections from a multi-country cash transfer impact assessment

Mixed methods approaches are widely used in impact evaluations, but all too often a ‘methodological gap’ emerges between broad, large-scale surveys and in depth, small-scale qualitative investigation that can be difficult to bridge. In this CDI Practice Paper by Jeremy Holland, Ramlatu Attah, Valentina Barca, Clare O’Brien, Simon Brook, Eleanor Fisher and Andrew Kardan, we reflect on a multi-country impact assessment of cash transfer programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. Within a broader mixed methods suite of research modules we discuss specifically the design of a qualitative module that used participatory methods to integrate quantitative and qualitative data and analysis. We conclude that future impact assessment designs can utilise this self standing ‘within‑module’ participatory research approach to move beyond an impact assessment norm of often poorly integrated large-scale quantitative surveys and in-depth qualitative investigation