Governments target transfers so that limited resources reach impoverished
households; targeting errors therefore indicate inefficiency in resource use
and inability to reach the poorest households. This article examines the
Malawi Social Cash Transfer Scheme (SCTS), using mixed methods and
multiple data sources, including examination of underlying assumptions,
the operationalisation of key concepts, questions of implementation, and
errors of inclusion and exclusion. Despite serious challenges, the scheme’s
error rates are within the range of global averages. Its impressive impacts
provide strong motivation for improving the targeting process before it is
scaled up to the national level.
Key words: Cash transfer, social protection, targeting, Malawi, mixed methods