Mobile Phone Banking and Financial Access Among Rural Tanzanian Farmers: A Six-Month Retrospective Analysis

Mobile phone banking has emerged as a critical tool for financial inclusion in many developing countries, including rural Tanzania where agriculture remains a significant sector. A six-month retrospective analysis was conducted using data collected from a sample of 120 randomly selected farmers who had used mobile phone banking services for at least three months prior to the study. The findings indicate that approximately 65% of participating farmers reported increased access to credit and savings through mobile phone banking, with significant differences in financial behaviors observed between those using traditional bank accounts versus mobile phone banking platforms. Mobile phone banking appears to have enhanced financial inclusion among rural Tanzanian farmers, particularly in terms of both credit availability and savings opportunities. Further research should explore the long-term impact and potential barriers to continued use of mobile phone banking for agricultural activities. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.