Subject category:
Entrepreneurship
Originally published in:
2024
Version: 15-Jan-2024
Length: 30 pages
Data source: Field research
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