IMPACTS OF COMMUNITY-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ON INCOME AND ASSET ACQUISITION IN AFRICA: THE CASE OF NIGERIA

This study evaluates the impacts of a community-driven development (CDD) project on household income and acquisition of productive assets in Nigeria. Using panel data and difference-in-differences and propensity score matching approaches, the study finds that the project succeeded in targeting the poor and women farmers in its productive asset acquisition component. Participation in the project also increased the income of beneficiaries by about 60%, which is well above the targeted increase of only 20% in the 6-year period of the project. However, sustainability of this dramatic achievement is uncertain since the project did not involve rural credit services. The large cash transfer through its productive asset acquisition component is also unsustainable.