Examining social and economic impact of community based conditional cash transfer programme: a case of Bagamoyo district, Tanzania

This study examined the social and economic impact of Community Based Conditional Cash Transfer (CB CCT) programme to the beneficiaries’ households in Tanzania, in Bagamoyo District. The study examined the following, first the social impact of the programme to the beneficiaries, second, the economic impact to the beneficiaries and finally the challenges hindering positive social and economic impact of the programme to the beneficiaries. A sample of 86 respondents was randomly chosen among beneficiaries and the descriptive research design was used in this study. Data for the study were obtained through questionnaires and interviews. Cross tabulation and regression analysis were used to analyse quantitative data, whereas qualitative data were analysed according to the themes. The findings of the study revealed that socially, the programme has increased social network for the beneficiaries’ majority of the respondents; about a half of the respondents (49%) agreed on the statement which inquired about that. However, social division between the beneficiaries and non beneficiaries was reported by (63%) of the respondents. Economically, there was less diversification of income generating activities, dependants had increased from (23% to 29%), the majority of the respondents (77%) could not access credits and only (9%) could save and invest from the programme benefits. CB CCT programme has brought relief to a number of people who were formerly under serious poverty traps; the amount of transfers is reported to be too little to meet their needs. If education and training to manage small scale projects could be provided to beneficiaries, the program will result into sustainable outcome.