Savings Constraints and Microenterprise Development: Evidence from a Field Experiment in Kenya

摘要: Does limited access to formal savings services impede business growth in poor countries? To shed light on this question, we randomized non-interest-bearing bank accounts among two types of self-employed individuals rural Kenya: market vendors (who are mostly women) and men working as bicycle-taxi drivers. Despite large withdrawal fees, a substantial share women used the accounts, were able save more, increased their productive investment private expenditures. We see no impact for These results imply significant barriers our study context. Further work is needed understand what those are, test whether generalize other businesses or individuals.