Maua RCT

Last registered on August 29, 2024

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Pre-Trial

Trial Information

General Information

Title

Maua RCT

RCT ID

AEARCTR-0004789

Initial registration date

September 27, 2019

Initial registration date is when the trial was registered.

It corresponds to when the registration was submitted to the Registry to be reviewed for publication.

First published

October 04, 2019, 11:53 AM EDT

First published corresponds to when the trial was first made public on the Registry after being reviewed.

Last updated

August 29, 2024, 8:13 AM EDT

Last updated is the most recent time when changes to the trial's registration were published.

Locations

Country

Kenya

Region

Primary Investigator

Name

Muhammad Meki

Affiliation

University of Oxford

Contact Primary Investigator

Other Primary Investigator(s)

PI Name

Francesco Cordaro

PI Affiliation

Mars Incorporated

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Marcel Fafchamps

PI Affiliation

Stanford

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Colin Mayer

PI Affiliation

University of Oxford

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Simon Quinn

PI Affiliation

University of Oxford

Contact Investigator

PI Name

Kate Roll

PI Affiliation

University College London

Contact Investigator

Additional Trial Information

Status

Completed

Start date

2018-01-01

End date

2020-09-30

Keywords

Finance & Microfinance

Additional Keywords

JEL code(s)

Secondary IDs

Prior work

This trial does not extend or rely on any prior RCTs.

Abstract

In this study, we work with Mars Corporation (owners of the Wrigley Kenya) to offer microfinance contracts to fund the purchase of a bicycle for microentrepreneurs who work under Wrigley's micro-distribution programme in Kenya, "Maua". Our sample consists of micro-distributors, many of whom sell retail products (which include chewing gum) on foot, and who would like to finance the purchase of a bicycle to expand their micro-distribution activities.

External Link(s)

Registration Citation

Citation

Cordaro, Francesco et al. 2024. "Maua RCT." AEA RCT Registry. August 29. https://doi.org/10.1257/rct.4789-1.1

Sponsors & Partners

Experimental Details

Interventions

Intervention(s)

We have designed five financial contracts to finance the purchase of bicycles for micro-distributors. The contracts differ in terms of their repayment structure, and are discussed in detail in the pre-analysis plan document.

Intervention Start Date

2018-01-01

Intervention End Date

2020-09-30

Primary Outcomes

Primary Outcomes (end points)

Business performance, household-level outcomes, management practices, household finances, micro-distributor health, happiness and trust.

Primary Outcomes (explanation)

Secondary Outcomes

Secondary Outcomes (end points)

Secondary Outcomes (explanation)

Experimental Design

We use a randomised controlled trial design, in which respondents are assigned either to a control group or to one of five treatment groups, each corresponding to a contract with a different repayment structure. We also elicit preferences over each of the five contracts using a strategy method. This process is described in more detail in the pre-analysis plan document.

Experimental Design Details

Randomization Method

Balls are drawn from a bag, in public.

Randomization Unit

Individual.

Was the treatment clustered?

Experiment Characteristics

Sample size: planned number of clusters

Target: 250 micro-distributors.

Sample size: planned number of observations

Target: 250 micro-distributors.

Sample size (or number of clusters) by treatment arms

Each micro-distributor is randomly assigned to control or one of five different microfinance contracts. This process and the assignment probabilities are described in detail in the pre-analysis plan document.

Minimum detectable effect size for main outcomes (accounting for sample design and clustering)

Supporting Documents and Materials

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