What drive financial inclusion gender gap in Cameroon? A Fairlie decomposition approach

Abstract

Based on a Fairlie decomposition method, this paper analyzes the drivers of gender gaps in financial inclusion in Cameroon. We use Finscope 2017 data for Cameroon and assess six distinct financial inclusion variables grouped into two dimensions mainly, access to and use of financial products and services. Our results show that there is a gap in all indicators of access to and use of financial products and services in favor of men. The results also show that the largest contributor to the gender gap in access to financial products and services is income, with more than 50% of the contribution, whereas the largest contributor to the gender gap in the use of financial products and services is education with an average contribution of more than 35%. Based on the above findings, decision-makers in Cameroon must conduct economic policies toward facilitating equitable access to education, by providing incentives to attract women to gain higher education.