Africa’s monetary panorama is advanced, comprising a spread of financial elements. To higher grasp this panorama, GeoPoll performed a speedy survey of Ghanaians’ and Kenyans’ borrowing habits and debt dynamics.
In this report, we’ll share the insights we’ve gained from the examine performed in January 2024 within the two nations, providing a glimpse into Africans’ monetary behaviour concerning loans and debt.
The survey addressed a number of urgent subjects, together with:
Present monetary state of affairs
Family revenue
Financial schooling and literacy
Well-liked lenders
Challenges skilled whereas accessing loans/credit score
Mortgage reimbursement
Strategies used to handle and cut back money owed
Present monetary state of affairs
In October 2022 GeoPoll surveyed Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, the Center East, and Asia on the World Price of Residing Disaster. A part of the findings indicated that rising costs have impacted virtually everybody. 75% say costs have “elevated so much,” decreasing their household’s way of life.
Two years on, the identical sentiments persists when people had been questioned about their present monetary standing. The biggest phase, comprising 37.87% of respondents, characterised their state of affairs as neither good nor dangerous. Subsequently, 22.26% reported their monetary situation as dangerous, whereas an in depth 21.37% expressed a constructive outlook, saying it was good. Notably, 10.63% conveyed that their monetary state of affairs was horrible.
Employment Price
Based on Statista, the unemployment fee in Africa is predicted to achieve seven p.c in 2024. Within the interval below evaluation, unemployment within the continent peaked at 7.2% in 2021. Unemployment ranges various considerably throughout African nations. South Africa was estimated to register the best fee in 2024.
In Kenya, our survey findings point out that 42.42% of the respondents are unemployed, 35.55% are employed, and 22.04% personal their very own companies. Ghana stands out with a extra favorable employment state of affairs, with 50.22% stating they’re employed, 40.61% are unemployed, and 9.17% personal a enterprise.
Family Earnings
Based on the World Financial institution virtually 700 million folks all over the world reside immediately in excessive poverty – they subsist on lower than $2.15 per day, the intense poverty line. Simply over half of those folks reside in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A vital proportion of respondents in Kenya, totaling 40.79%, obtain a month-to-month revenue inside the vary of Kes. 10,000 ($61) to Kes. 50,000 ($305). Shut behind, 36.81% earn lower than Kes. 10,000 ($61). Moreover, 13.67% report earnings between Kes. 50,000 ($305) and Kes. 100,000 ($610), whereas 5.97% fall into the revenue bracket of Ke. 100,000 ($610) to Kes. 200,000 ($1,219). Lastly, a modest 2.75% signifies incomes greater than Kes. 200,000 ($1,219).
A definite pattern emerges in Ghana, the place 49.34% of respondents earn a month-to-month wage of 1000 Ghana Cedis ($80). Following carefully, 37.55% fall into the revenue vary of 10,000 Cedis ($800) to 50,000 Cedis ($4,000), with a mere 1.75% indicating an revenue exceeding 20,000 Cedis ($1,600).
Monetary Information
When requested how assured they really feel about their understanding of economic ideas, together with loans and rates of interest, the bulk, comprising 35.56%, expressed confidence of their monetary literacy. One other 31.21% really feel impartial, whereas 20.54% convey excessive belief. Apparently, 12.7% acknowledge a insecurity of their monetary information.
Borrowing Patterns Throughout Areas
Respondents from the 2 nations exhibited distinct borrowing patterns. A big 80.24% have beforehand borrowed loans or incurred debt, whereas 19.76% have by no means sought a mortgage or debt.
We delved into discovering the first selections utilized by folks to borrow. Household or Associates emerged as probably the most favored choice, with 26.15%, carefully adopted by cash lenders at 25.78%. Moreover, 24.97% favor conventional banks, 16.28% go for credit score unions or SACCOS, and 6.81% lean in the direction of different authorized means.
Accessing of loans/credit score
With a big majority, 77.16%, expressing challenges in accessing loans, we delved into the explanations behind these difficulties. Among the many respondents, 27.45% attributed their challenges to insufficient mortgage quantities, 18.77% lamented the prolonged and difficult software course of, and 18.36% cited a poor credit score historical past for mortgage denials. Collateral necessities had been recognized by 18.34% as a hindrance, and 11.44% pointed to their excessive debt ranges as contributing to their mortgage entry challenges.
Use of Loans
The survey highlighted the various functions for which Africans search loans. Training is the predominant objective, with 40.17% using loans to assist their research. Medical wants comply with carefully at 20.59%, whereas 17.53% safe loans for house or mortgage functions. One other 12.05% search monetary help for private pursuits, 4.87% for leisure functions, and, lastly, 4.80% particularly for auto or automotive loans.
Debt Administration
With 81.12% of respondents acknowledging challenges in repaying loans or money owed, we additionally explored the methods employed by people to handle or alleviate their monetary burdens. Notably, 29.77% of respondents undertake budgeting as a method of debt administration, whereas 29.09% decide to scale back their bills. Moreover, 16.67% search to reinforce their revenue by exploring extra sources, 16.24% prioritize their money owed, and 6.45% negotiate with lenders or collectors.
What’s subsequent?
As we embark on the brand new 12 months, monetary issues take centre stage for a lot of people as they strategize round their objectives and aspirations. Based on The Ascent, 82% of millennials and 74% of Gen Zers intend to ascertain monetary objectives for the approaching 12 months, surpassing the figures for Gen Xers at 69% and child boomers at 49%.
When questioned about their monetary outlook for the brand new 12 months, a big majority, 73.40%, categorical optimism that their monetary state of affairs will enhance, in the meantime, 19.06% anticipate their monetary standing to stay unchanged, and seven.55% suppose they are going to be worse off.
Methodology/About this Survey
This Unique Dipstick Survey was run through the GeoPoll cellular software in January 2024 in Ghana and Kenya. The pattern dimension was 3,290, composed of random customers between ages 18 and 60. Being an app survey, the pattern was skewed in the direction of youthful age teams, males, and concrete dwellers.
To get extra particulars about unique GeoPoll surveys or to conduct a scientific examine on funds or different subjects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, please contact us.
