Cash trap
Why many households earn but cannot build up cash, and how local jobs can help.
A cash trap happens when a household's income is used up by everyday costs before anything is left to save or invest. Daily transport, rent and food can leave very little, and what is spent often leaves the community immediately.
The pressure on households
In Nairobi, an estimated 725,000 to 825,000 people live below the national poverty line. Long commutes make it worse: a worker may spend hours, and a large part of their pay, just getting to and from a job.
Why it is hard to escape
When most income goes on daily costs and leaves the community quickly, there is little left to save, lend or reinvest locally. Small traders and workers stay one bad week away from trouble.
Our response
- Bring jobs closer to home so that transport costs fall.
- Place microfinance banks inside each business center so saving and small loans are within reach.
- Provide shops, a pharmacy and a restaurant in the same building, so residents can meet more needs in one trip.
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