Dissertation (PhD) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was motivated by the need to determine the key factors that influence credit demand and credit rationing in the informal financial markets so as to contribute to policy formulation to improve access for the poor in Uganda to the broader (formal and informal) financial sector. The results of the study suggest that credit demand in the informal financial sector is positively and significantly influenced by capacity related variables (education level, and household expenditure) at the household level, and the informal lenders' credit rationing behaviour is also negatively and significantly influenced by household wealth factors (asset values). The same variables have similar effects in the models for credit demand and credit rationing in the broader financial sector. Since households demand credit for both investment and consumption smoothing, improved access to the broader financial sector will enable them to acquire more wealth, and move out of poverty in the long run. The policy options to improve small borrower access to the broader financial sector include provision of incentives to banks to serve the smaller borrowers, development of credit reference bureaus, provision of innovative insurance products to the poor, and broader economic policies that enable households to acquire more wealth. In addition appropriate linkages need to be developed between the formal and informal financial sectors so as to broaden the financial system. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie is gemotiveer deur die behoefte om die sleutelfaktore te identifiseer wat die vraag na krediet en kredietrantsoenering in die informele finansiele markte bemvloed ten einde In bydrae te kan maak tot beleid om beter toegang vir die armes tot die bree (formele en informele) finansiele sektor in Uganda te bewerkstellig. Die resultate van die studie dui aan dat die vraag na informele krediet In betekenisvolle en positiewe verwantskap toon met kapasiteitsverwante veranderlikes (vlak van opvoeding en huishoudelike besteding) op die huishoudingvlak. Informele uitleners se kredietrantsoeneringsoptrede toon In betekenisvolle en negatiewe verwantskap met huishoudings se vlak van rykdom (batewaardes). Dieselfde veranderlikes toon soortgelyke verwantskappe in die geval van die modelle vir kredietvraag en kredietrantsoenering in die bree finansiele sektor. Huishoudings se vraag na krediet is vir beide investeringsdoeleindes en om In meer egalige verspreiding van verbruik te verkry. Daarom sal verbeterde toegang tot die bree finansiele sektor hulle in staat stel om meer rykdom te bekom en so uit armoede in die langer termyn te ontsnap. Die beleidsopsies om kleiner leners beter toegang tot die bree finansiele sektor te bied, sluit in voorsiening vir insentiewe aan banke om klein leners te bedien, die ontwikkeling van kredietverwysingsburo's, die voorsiening van innoverende versekeringsprodukte aan die armes, en breer ekonomiese beleid wat huishoudings in staat sal stel om meer rydom te bekom. Toepaslike skakeling tussen die formele en informele finansiele sektore moet ook ontwikkel word ten einde In verbreding van die finansiele sektor te bewerkstellig.