The main source of cash transfers in South Africa is through the social assistance grants system. As one of the most comprehensive social grant systems in the developing world, the grants provide provisions for disabled people, children with poor carers, elderly people, disabled children, and fostered children. By mid 2008 over 12 million grants have been awarded, covering over 28 percent of the population and amounting to roughly 3.5 percent of the GDP. 

This presentation is based on AMA Innovation Lab projects for the Poverty Traps Conference. This conference is a gathering point for USAID and other development assistant agencies to connect the poor to economic growth.

This presentation was presented by Rebecca Surender from Oxford University on February 26, 2009 at Washington, DC.