Barriers to Uptake and Use of Added Value Mobile Money Products by the Lesser off Segments in Kenya

Abstract

The successful uptake and use of key mobile money transfer services in Kenya has seen a tremendous growth in innovative mobile money products aimed at extending formal financial services to the lesser off segments in society. Despite the convenience associated with these products and the fact that access to financial services has increased, studies point to the fact that use is additive in nature and the lesser off segments remain excluded. This paper seeks to establish barriers encountered by the lesser off segments and further discuss suitable policy and regulation frameworks to enhance transformative use of the products by the unbanked populations.