The potential of asset‐based development strategies for poverty alleviation in Sub‐Saharan Africa |
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| Authors: | Fred M Ssewamala Elizabeth Sperber Jamie M Zimmerman Leyla Karimli |
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| Institution: | 1. Columbia University, School of Social Work, New York;2. Columbia University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, New York;3. Global Assets Project, New America Foundation, Washington, D.C. |
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| Abstract: | Ssewamala FM, Sperber, ES, Zimmerman JM, Karimli L. The potential of asset‐based development strategies for poverty alleviation in Sub‐Saharan Africa Int J Soc Welfare 2010: 19: 433–443 © 2010 The Author(s), Journal compilation © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd and International Journal of Social Welfare. This article explores the potential of a relatively new approach to social development as a poverty alleviation strategy in Sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA): asset‐based development, an integrated approach to human, social, and economic capital formation. It considers the theoretical framework guiding asset‐based development and the accompanying set of programmatic and policy‐level tools for poverty alleviation in SSA. After considering the recent historical and theoretical contexts of the approach, the authors examine the potential of asset‐based development programs, specifically savings‐led microfinance programs for the poor, to engender development and, more specifically, poverty alleviation in the region. Major challenges and directions for future research are presented. |
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| Keywords: | assets microfinance Sub‐Saharan Africa microenterprises savings children savings accounts financial inclusion |
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