Sarafu Community Inclusion Currency, 2020-2021

Ruddick, William O. (2023). Sarafu Community Inclusion Currency, 2020-2021. [Data Collection]. Colchester, Essex: UK Data Service. 10.5255/UKDA-SN-855142

Data description (abstract)

We describe a dataset of account information and transaction records for a digital community currency in Kenya. One unit of “Sarafu” is roughly equivalent in value to a Kenyan shilling. The Sarafu system has existed since 2010 and began operating digitally via USSD feature-code cellular technology in 2017. This dataset includes pseudonymized account information for around 55,000 users and records of all Sarafu transactions conducted from 25/01/2020 to 15/06/2021. User transactions capture various economic and financial activities such as purchases, transfers, and participation in savings and lending groups. So-called "chamas" are key to the operation of the Sarafu system and clearly labeled in the data. This dataset will contribute to research on the operation of community currencies, monetary systems, and economic networks in underdeveloped areas. The observation period includes the first year of the coronavirus pandemic and several documented pilot projects and development interventions.

Data creators:
Creator Name Affiliation ORCID (as URL)
Ruddick William O. Grassroots Economics Foundation https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9798-2829
Contributors:
Name Affiliation ORCID (as URL)
Criscione Teodoro Central European University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3953-8679
Mattsson C.E.S. Leiden University https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9160-7523
Sponsors: Innovation Norway, Danish Red Cross, Stichting DOEN, Kenyan Red Cross, Norweigan Red Cross
Topic classification: Social welfare policy and systems
Science and technology
Economics
Trade, industry and markets
Keywords: MONEY, CURRENCIES, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, MOBILE PHONE SERVICES
Project title: Community Inclusion Currencies
Grant holders: Grassroots Economics Foundation, William O. Ruddick, Shaila Agha
Project dates:
FromTo
25 January 202015 June 2021
Date published: 31 Aug 2021 13:50
Last modified: 03 Aug 2023 11:06

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