Relevance of conditional cash transfers for the implementation of sustainable development goals in developing countries

Abstract

Conditional cash transfer schemes were identified as one of the major driving forces behind poverty reduction in most developing countries during the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals and the subsequent Sustainable Development Goals. However, relevance of conditionality obligations of beneficiaries and service providers to sustain the conditional cash transfer schemes and make them relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals appeared to have encountered a number of challenges. This paper examined the circumstances under which beneficiaries and service providers fulfilled their conditionality obligations in conditional cash transfer schemes and its relevance to the Sustainable Development Goals implementation in developing countries. A systematic review technique was employed to analyse 60 articles. It was found that, improved health care, improved educational level, increased consumption level, poverty reduction, and among others are relevant to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. Policy dilemma, time frame dilemma, infrastructural capacity and poor macroeconomic policies were some of the constraints in conditional cash transfers to be addressed to secure better implementation of Sustainable Development Goals. It is therefore suggested that expansionary and contractionary policies be instituted to control macroeconomic indicators where necessary, more infrastructure should be provided and timelines of cash transfers should be monitored in order to make the intervention more relevant in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Keywords: Relevance, Conditionalities, Cash Transfers, Sustainable Development Goals, Developing Countries