The diffusion of mobile money: evidence from a lab experiment in the field

This report summarizes the initial findings and policy implications of a
lab experiment in the field where it is examined how we can measure individuals’
willingness to share valuable information with strangers in an accurate manner,
and how they price this information sharing. We also examine how this
measurement depends on whether the characteristics of strangers are known or
not. The initial results from this experiment point towards there being more
valuable exchanges among anonymous individuals, and to game participants
negatively responding to increases in the cost of transmitting information. These
are relevant lessons for policymakers wanting to use SMS technology for costeffective development interventions in general, and specifically to reap the
development benefits of increased adoption of new technologies such as mobile
money, particularly in areas that are more isolated and deprived – and could
potentially benefit the most with large adoption of these services.