Financial inclusion

Basic theories and empirical evidence from African countries

Bibliographic Data

ID5819922
AuthorsMunacinga Simatele (0000-0001-9182-2701), George Wilson Ssonko (0000-0003-1711-5915), Bank of Uganda, Duncan R Kawooya (0000-0002-9310-8402), Miselo Bwalya (0000-0002-1515-3347), Sibanisezwe Alwyn Khumalo (0000-0002-4330-9249), Martin Mulunda Kabange (0000-0003-0837-4747), Syden Mishi (0000-0002-7727-8946), Farai B Mushonga (0000-0001-8033-9503), Nomonde Tshabalala (0000-0001-9446-4655), Timothy Mutyavaviri (0000-0003-0802-3808), Phindile G Dlamini (0000-0002-0988-3503), Mzwanele Dlova (0000-0003-2416-861X), Ziphozethu Dube (0000-0003-4532-5346), Gilbert Kichini (0000-0003-2972-1023)
Year2021
Publication date2021-01-01
Open AccessYes
TypeBOOK
VenueFinancial inclusion (SOURCE_BOOK)
PublisherAOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA)
DOI10.4102/aosis.2021.bk255
OpenAlexW4214776012
ISBN9781776341818
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited374

Financial inclusion has been noted as a key driver of poverty alleviation and growth. Yet, most of the scholarly work that exists lacks a comprehensive discussion of how the poor interact with financial services and the channels through which such services can affect their livelihoods. This book offers researchers who focus on financial inclusion and African economies a one-stop resource for understanding the channels of transmission for financial inclusion as well as an application of these channels through original country-specific empirical papers. The book provides a back-to-basics presentation of the transmission of financial services to growth and poverty. This theoretical discussion is complemented by an empirical presentation of the various services used by the poor, with a focus on Africa. Case studies of financial inclusion in six African countries cover a broad range of topics most important to African countries and highlight the unique African setting. These empirical papers provide important learning points. Firstly, hybrid financial institutions such as cooperative financial institutions and financial social entrepreneurs are the best way to increase financial inclusion in Africa. They provide important vehicles to circumvent the restrictive and exclusive bank-based financial markets typical of African economies. Secondly, digital finance is a potent tool for improving financial access and usage in Africa, and its impact on poverty operates through both traditional and nontraditional financial instruments. Thirdly, investment in infrastructure which supports complementary markets is critical and is likely to have a greater effect on credit rationing than direct provision of credit to small businesses

Access to Finance · Business · Economic growth · Economics · Empirical research · Financial inclusion · Financial market · Financial services · Financial system · Geography · Geography of finance · Indirect finance · Livelihood · Poverty · Islamic Finance and Banking Studies · Microfinance and Financial Inclusion · Urban and Rural Development Challenges · Finance

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Open DOIOpen Access