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More evidence on the impact of government social protection in sub‐Saharan Africa: Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe

Author

Listed:
  • Sudhanshu Handa
  • Frank Otchere
  • Paul Sirma
  • the Evaluation Study Team

Abstract

Motivation Governments in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) have rapidly expanded cash transfer programmes as part of their social protection strategy over the last decade. Currently 46 countries have a state‐sponsored social protection programme, compared to just 25 countries in 2005, with the most common type of programme being cash transfers, representing 51% of all social protection spending in the region. Purpose We present evidence on the overall impacts of state‐sponsored cash transfer programmes in SSA, using data from three impact evaluations of government programmes. All three programmes were a key component of the poverty reduction strategy of the respective governments at the time of the evaluations. Methods and approach We show impacts across nine broad domains including both protection, production and human development, using baseline and follow‐up household surveys on Treatment and Control groups. We relate the pattern of impacts to programme design parameters to further understand the constraints faced by ultra‐poor rural households. Findings All three programmes have strong effects on their primary objective—food security or food consumption, as well as on secondary objectives that include livelihood strengthening and children’s well‐being. The largest and most consistent impacts occur in Malawi, where transfer values are in line with international best practice and payments were made regularly during the study period. All programmes show a positive income multiplier, with the multiplier largest in Malawi at 2.94. Policy implications The overall results across three national programmes add to the growing evidence from Africa that government unconditional cash transfers have important positive effects on households, that these effects are not limited to just food security, and that programme design features influence the pattern and size of impacts. Results in this article are based on programmes that pass both criteria of implementation feasibility and political acceptability, and thus provide a more accurate reflection of what real‐world cash transfer programmes can achieve in SSA.

Suggested Citation

  • Sudhanshu Handa & Frank Otchere & Paul Sirma & the Evaluation Study Team, 2022. "More evidence on the impact of government social protection in sub‐Saharan Africa: Ghana, Malawi, and Zimbabwe," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 40(3), May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devpol:v:40:y:2022:i:3:n:e12576
    DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12576
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Davis, Benjamin & Handa, Sudhanshu & Hypher, Nicola & Winder Rossi, Natalia & Winters, Paul & Yablon (ed.), 2016. "From Evidence to Action: The Story of Cash Transfers and Impact Evaluation in Sub Saharan Africa," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780198769446.
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    6. Handa, Sudhanshu & Natali, Luisa & Seidenfeld, David & Tembo, Gelson & Davis, Benjamin, 2018. "Can unconditional cash transfers raise long-term living standards? Evidence from Zambia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 42-65.
    7. Averi Chakrabarti & Sudhanshu Handa & Luisa Natali & David Seidenfeld & Gelson Tembo, 2020. "More evidence on the relationship between cash transfers and child height," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 14-37, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Roy McConkey & Sally Allen & Chipo Mlambo & Patricia Kambarami & Karina Martin, 2024. "Creating Family-Centred Support for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Africa: Examples of Local Community Interventions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Averi Chakrabarti & Sudhanshu Handa & Malawi and Zambia Cash Transfer Evaluation Teams, 2023. "The impacts of cash transfers on household energy choices," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(5), pages 1426-1457, October.
    3. David Chipanta & Silas Amo-Agyei & Lucas Hertzog & Ahmad Reza Hosseinpoor & Michael Smith & Caitlin Mahoney & Juan Gonzalo Jaramillo Meija & Olivia Keiser & Janne Estill, 2024. "Missing the vulnerable—Inequalities in social protection in 13 sub-Saharan African countries: Analysis of population-based surveys," PLOS Global Public Health, Public Library of Science, vol. 4(7), pages 1-19, July.
    4. Handa, Sudhanshu & Tembo, Gelson & Natali, Luisa & Chakrabarti, Averi, 2025. "In search of the holy grail: Post-intervention effects of an unconditional cash transfer program in Zambia," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    5. Lambon-Quayefio, Monica & Peterman, Amber & Handa, Sudhanshu & Molotsky, Adria & Otchere, Frank & Mvula, Peter & Tsoka, Maxton & de Hoop, Jacobus & Angeles, Gustavo & Kilburn, Kelly & Milazzo, Annamar, 2024. "Unconditional cash transfers and safe transitions to adulthood in Malawi," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).

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