Does Usage of Islamic Microfinance Products Influence the Income, Education, and Health in Mauritania?

Abstract

This paper attempts to determine the effect of the use of Islamic microfinance (IsMF) products on Mauritanians' income, education, and healthcare, as well as the gender invariance in the model. The article uses cross-sectional design data gathered through a questionnaire from a sample of 381 beneficiaries of the largest IsMF institution in Mauritania, PROCAPEC-Nouakchott. Using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method, the results found that the use of IsMF products has a significant impact on the income level; however, it did not significantly impact children's education and healthcare. Gender has no moderator effect on the relationships in the model.