A Dissertation Submitted in Partial/Fulfilment of the
Requirements for Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration in
Corporate Management (MBA-CM) of Mzumbe University
This study examined mobile money as a tool of enhancing financial inclusion and
poverty reduction in Mvomero rural areas in Tanzania and was guided by three
specific objectives. The first was to examine the performance of mobile money
among households. The next was to examine the contributions of mobile money in
enhancing financial inclusion. The third and the last was to examine the contributions
of mobile money in poverty reduction. The case study research design was used
based in Mlali Ward in Mvomero District and the study population comprised a total
of 150 poor households from which a sample size of 109 poor households was
determined using Taro Yamane formula. The respondents were selected using nonprobability sampling techniques basically by using judgmental and convenience
sampling methods. A questionnaire contained closed ended questions was designed
and used to collect primary data which were analyzed quantitatively using
descriptive statistics with the aid of SPSS programe version 20. The results were
presented using frequency tables, numbers, percentages and charts.
Based on the currents study, performance of mobile money was high and in average,
6 unbanked and poor individuals per 10 households were using mobile money.
Mobile money had high contribution in enhancing financial inclusion among
unbanked population and was used in withdrawing and transferring money. Further,
the contribution of mobile money in enhancing poverty reduction was very high
especially among males who had education and who frequently used mobile money
for various financial transactions. The study concludes that mobile money is very
high potential for enhancing financial inclusion and poverty reduction in Tanzanian
rural areas. This study therefore, recommends that the Government should promote
equal opportunities of ownership of mobile phones and use of mobile money. Also,
there should be compulsory education program in order to enable acquisition of basic
education among the poor households and individuals in rural areas which in turn
could increase ownership and use of mobile phones and mobile money.