Abstract:
Access to financial services is limited mainly to the low-income population living in rural areas. This fact has led the government and development institutions to implement programs aimed at expanding access to financial services to this group. Among the various programs, in Mozambique, the savings and revolving credit (PCR) program that started in 2000 in the province of Nampula stands out. Although the program has been in development for 15 years, there is no empirical evidence on improving access to financial services, their functioning and effects on the well-being of beneficiaries. Thus, the present study had as specific objectives: (i) to describe the functioning of savings and revolving credit groups, (ii) to determine the effect of PCR on the well-being of rural families (iii) and to analyze the determinants of access to services financial resources. To achieve the objectives of the study, a comparative case study was carried out between the savings and revolving credit groups in the districts of Mogovolas and Murrupula, in the province of Nampula and the district of Gorongosa, in the province of Sofala. The methodology used was descriptive statistics, specifically the t tests for means and proportions, the eta-square statistics, x 2 test, as well as the probit model. The results of the research showed that the CRP groups are mostly made up of women with low income. These groups are an alternative to savings, capital accumulation and short-term loans with an interest rate ranging between 5% and 10%. This program was designed to have four distinct phases: (i) mobilization, (ii) organization, (iii) development and (iv) independence. However, no group has reached the stage of independence. However, participation in the PCR group results in an improvement in the living standards of the beneficiary families, as it improves income levels, housing conditions, education and health, less exposure to natural disasters, the greatest effect being on possession of durable goods and recovery time in the event of floods, although the effect is moderate. The AFs most likely to have access to financial services are characterized by being led: (i) by an individual with formal employment, (ii) by younger individuals, (iii) by a woman, and (a) having a higher rate wealth and (b) live close to formal financial institutions. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)
