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‘Upliftment’, friends and finance: everyday exchange repertoires and mobile money transfer in Kenya

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 November 2018

Susan Johnson  and
Froukje Krijtenburg
Susan Johnson*
Affiliation:
Centre for Development Studies, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
Froukje Krijtenburg
Affiliation:
African Studies Centre, Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands
*
Email: s.z.johnson@bath.ac.uk
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Abstract

The rapid and massive adoption of mobile money transfer (MMT) services in East Africa, particularly in Kenya, stands in stark contrast to historically low use of formal financial systems on the continent. Its ‘fertile grounds’ therefore require in-depth analysis to understand the implications for African financial systems. This paper argues for the need to examine the underlying conceptual environment that enables low income and poor people's MMT adoption. It innovatively combines anthropological with ethnolinguistic analytical approaches to distinguish two repertoires around resource exchange. First, is a relational financial repertoire where relationships are developed and consolidated to create support and ‘upliftment’. A contrasting resource-focused repertoire is more like that of the formal financial sector. Identifying the conceptual features of relationality, the study offers a new perspective on the adoption and use of MMT in Africa and highlights the potential for disjunctures with policy efforts to increase financial inclusion.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Modern African Studies , Volume 56 , Issue 4 , December 2018 , pp. 569 - 594
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2018 

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Footnotes

The authors are grateful to the Financial Sector Deepening Trust, Kenya for funding this research. We are particularly indebted to those people and organisations who willingly contributed their experience and insights. We also thankfully acknowledge comments on previous drafts from James Copestake, Jason Hart, Amrik Heyer and Sibel Kusimba.

References

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Interviews

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C.W., woman, coffee farmer, Mathira, 30.10.12.Google Scholar
C.W.M., woman, retail shop owner, Mathira, 01.11.2012.Google Scholar
D., man, restaurant owner, Nyamira, 15.11.2012.Google Scholar
D.B., man, restaurant owner, Nyamira, 15.11.2012.Google Scholar
E., woman, casual labourer, Mathira, 31.10.2012.Google Scholar
H., man, motorbike taxi driver, Nyamira, 14.11.12.Google Scholar
H.M., woman, casual tea picker, Mathira, 31.11.2012.Google Scholar
J., man, shoe seller, Nyamira, 15.11.2012.Google Scholar
M., man, evangelist, Mathira, 31.10.2012.Google Scholar
N., young man, electrician, Mathira, 30.10.2012.Google Scholar
P., man, farmer, Kitui, 6.11.2012.Google Scholar
P.M., man, driver, Mathira, 1.11.2012.Google Scholar
R., young man, barber, Nyamira 13.11.2012.Google Scholar
Z., woman, tailor, Nyamira, 14.11.2012.Google Scholar