Perceptions des Producteurs de Coton sur l'Utilisation du Mobile Money dans la Commune de Banikoara au Nord-Ouest du Bénin

Abstract

Mobile money has significantly contributed to increasing the rate of financial inclusion in developing countries, including within the agricultural sector. However, although some cotton producers have adopted this technology, their perceptions of it vary from one region to another and from one individual to another. This study, conducted among cotton producers in the municipality of Banikoara, in the northwest of Benin, assessed their perception of mobile money technology based on criteria such as the usefulness of the internet and mobile money, the ease of use of mobile money, the strengthening of social ties, security, and satisfaction with mobile money services. The results showed that the majority of producers have a positive perception of these services, with more than 90% satisfaction with mobile money services. However, 54.11% of the surveyed producers remain undecided about the security of digital platforms. Perceptions vary according to gender, age, educational level, and the size of cultivated land. Men are more likely to find mobile money useful and easy to use, while women have a more positive perception of the strengthening of social relations and service security. Moreover, the level of perception increases with educational level but decreases with age and farm size. The lack of a clear stance on the security of mobile money services suggests the need for further studies to better understand and address these concerns. Nevertheless, the results provide a solid foundation for improving mobile money services in this context.