Spatial analysis of the effect of microfinance on poverty and inequality in Ghana

Although microfinance is usually delivered with a spatial outlook, the literature is so far silent on the potential spatial effect of microfinance delivery. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the effect of microfinance intensity on spatial inequality and poverty in Ghana. Using the 6th (2012/2013) and 7th (2016/2017) rounds of data from a national survey on living standards in Ghana, the study first examined the pattern of district-level poverty and inequality in Ghana and then adopted spatial econometric techniques to explore the spatial correlation between microfinance, inequality, and poverty. The results revealed that microfinance has a significant negative impact on spatial inequality and poverty in Ghana. The spatial effect of microfinance intensity on poverty and inequality is characterized by both direct and spillover effects on neighbours. It was identified that the outreach of microfinance drives within-district disparity, whereas the disparity in microfinance credit distribution powers between-district disparity. Additionally, while there is evidence of an indirect effect, the indirect effect diffuses monotonically as the number of neighbours increases. The study's findings advocate for a complementary approach to microfinance delivery, as well as the elimination of institutional barriers that limit access, availability, and operational delivery of microfinance services in order to achieve spatially optimal microfinance delivery.