Digital payments and Social protection in Senegal

Currently, cash transfers for social protection programs in Senegal are distributed through a network of post offices. Still, challenges such as accessibility, long travel distances, and outdated beneficiary data hinder the program's effectiveness. This proposal examines the impact of implementing digital payment systems within Senegal's National Program of Family Security Grants (PNBSF), a social protection initiative serving 300,000 households. This study aims to assess how digitizing payments—leveraging mobile money systems—can improve service delivery, enhance participation rates, and optimize beneficiary targeting and monitoring processes. Through a randomized evaluation, focus group discussions, and collaboration with key stakeholders including the Senegalese government, the project seeks to identify practical solutions to modernize the payment system. The results of this investigation hope to inform future research and potential interventions aimed at improving social protection delivery in Senegal.