Product details

By continuing to use our site you consent to the use of cookies as described in our privacy policy unless you have disabled them.
You can change your cookie settings at any time but parts of our site will not function correctly without them.

Abstract

The case presents Aboke-pesa, a local complementary currency in a poor rural area of Western Kenya. The reader gets an insight into the economic context of rural areas in the Global South, the work of introducing digital community currencies through farmers' cooperatives, one of the most common designs of these currencies (mutual credit systems or LETS) as well as the particular challenges digital currencies encounter in rural areas of the Global South. Faced with an increased number of farmers wanting to join the currency system, the reader is then presented with the question of how to scale up such initiatives without compromising the participatory and democratic nature of their governance structures. The case ends at the moment the management team of the farmers' cooperative has to decide on the currency's future scaling strategy.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in October 2023.

Geographical setting

Region:
Africa
Country:
Kenya
Location:
Aboke, Siaya County

Featured protagonist

  • Silas Otieno (male), Farmer and community leader of rural Aboke

About

Abstract

The case presents Aboke-pesa, a local complementary currency in a poor rural area of Western Kenya. The reader gets an insight into the economic context of rural areas in the Global South, the work of introducing digital community currencies through farmers' cooperatives, one of the most common designs of these currencies (mutual credit systems or LETS) as well as the particular challenges digital currencies encounter in rural areas of the Global South. Faced with an increased number of farmers wanting to join the currency system, the reader is then presented with the question of how to scale up such initiatives without compromising the participatory and democratic nature of their governance structures. The case ends at the moment the management team of the farmers' cooperative has to decide on the currency's future scaling strategy.

Teaching and learning

This item is suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Settings

Time period

The events covered by this case took place in October 2023.

Geographical setting

Region:
Africa
Country:
Kenya
Location:
Aboke, Siaya County

Featured protagonist

  • Silas Otieno (male), Farmer and community leader of rural Aboke

Related