scholarly journals A Legal Analysis of the Use of Innovative Technology in the Promotion of Financial Inclusion for Low-Income Earners in South Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Phemelo Magau
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Informal Settlements ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
The Government

The promotion of financial inclusion is important for the combating of financial exclusion in many countries, including South Africa. Nonetheless, most low-income earners living in rural areas and informal settlements are still struggling to gain access to basic financial products and financial services in South Africa. This status quo has been caused by a number of factors such as the absence of an adequate financial inclusion policy, the geographical remoteness of financial institutions to most low-income earners, rigid identity documentary requirements, a lack of access to reliable and affordable Internet connection by low-income earners living in informal settlements and rural areas, a lack of financial illiteracy, the high costs of financial services, unemployment and poverty, over-indebtedness, and cultural and psychological hindrances to low-income earners in South Africa. Consequently, these factors have somewhat limited the access to financial services offered by financial institutions to low-income earners living in rural areas and informal settlements. In many countries, including South Africa, the financial sector is relying on innovative technology, especially in banking institutions, to aid in the offering of financial services to their customers. It is against this background that this article discusses selected legal and related challenges affecting the regulation and use of innovative technology to promote financial inclusion for low-income earners in South Africa. The article further discusses possible measures that could be adopted by the government, financial institutions and other relevant regulatory bodies to promote the use of innovative technology to combat the financial exclusion of low-income earners in South Africa.

scholarly journals Legislative and Other Selected Challenges Affecting Financial Inclusion for the Poor and Low Income Earners in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 337-355
Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Menelisi Ncube
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Relevant Role ◽  
Legislative Framework ◽  
The Government

AbstractThis article discusses the challenges affecting the achievement of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. The concept of financial inclusion could be defined as the provision of affordable financial products and services to all members of the society by the government and/or other relevant role-players such as financial services providers. This article identifies unemployment, poverty, financial illiteracy, over-indebtedness, high bank fees, mistrust of the banking system, lack of relevant national identity documentation and poor legislative framework for financial inclusion as some of the challenges affecting the full attainment of financial inclusion for the poor and low-income earners in South Africa. Given these flaws, the article highlights the need for the government, financial institutions and other relevant stakeholders to adopt legislative and other measures as an antidote to financial exclusion and poverty challenges affecting the poor and low-income earners in South Africa.

scholarly journals The Nexus between Mobile Money Regulation, Innovative Technology and the Promotion of Financial Inclusion in Zimbabwe

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Howard Chitimira ◽  
Elfas Torerai
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Innovative Technology ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
The Poor

The advent of mobile money innovations has given people in rural areas, informal settlements and other poor communities an opportunity to participate in Zimbabwe's mainstream financial economy. However, the technology-driven money services have presented some challenges to the traditional banking sector in general and the regulation of financial services in particular. Firstly, most mobile money services are products of telecommunication corporations, which are not banks. Telecommunication companies use their network reach to provide mobile money services via mobile devices at a cheaper cost than banks across the country in Zimbabwe. As such, banks face unprecedented competition from telecommunications companies that are venturing into financial services. It also appears that prudential regulation of banks cannot keep up with the fast pace at which technological innovations are developing and this has created a disjuncture between the regulation and the use of technological innovations to promote financial inclusion in Zimbabwe. The Banking Act [Chapter 24:20] 9 of 1999, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act [Chapter 22:15] 5 of 1999 and the National Payment Systems Act [Chapter 24:23] 21 of 2001 have a limited scope in terms of the regulation of mobile money services in Zimbabwe. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development launched the National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) 2016-2020 to provide impetus to the financial inclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. However, the NFIS appears to push more for bank-led financial inclusion than it does for innovation-driven initiatives such as mobile money services. This article highlights the positive influence of mobile money services in improving financial inclusion for the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe. The article also seeks to point out gaps and flaws in the financial services regulatory framework that may limit the potential of mobile money services to reach more people so that they actively participate in the Zimbabwean economy. It is submitted that the Zimbabwean mobile money services regulations and the financial regulatory framework should be carefully amended in line with the recent innovations in mobile money to adequately regulate the use of mobile money services and innovative technology to address the financial exclusion of the poor, unbanked and low-income earners in Zimbabwe.

scholarly journals FINANCIAL INCLUSION: A PRELUDE TO ECONOMIC STATUS OF VULNERABLE GROUP

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 147-154
Author(s):  
Mukesh Kumar Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Banking Services ◽  
The Government

India is a country where a sizeable amount of population lives in rural areas. They are engaged in agriculture and allied activities. Most of the people living in rural areas are poor. They do not have any access to the banks. The awareness and access of the poor to the banking services is important for the alleviation of the poverty. Their access to the banking services will contribute a lot to the growth and development of our country’s economy. Financial inclusion is a great weapon to overcome the financial backwardness as well as the establishment of good governance.It broadens the resource base of the financial system by developing a culture of savings among large segment of rural population, disadvantaged group and plays an essential role in the process of economic development. The Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have been making concentrated efforts periodically to overcome such vicious problems by promoting Financial Inclusion, being one of the important national objectives of the country. Since first phase of nationalization (1969) GoI continuously promoting financial inclusion through self-help groups, no frills account, simplification of KYC, Business correspondents etc., but no palpable effect could be seen in the plight of these financially vulnerable people. To mitigate this long drawn financial sufferings, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new scheme in his Independence Day speech on 15th Aug 2014 called Pradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana (PMJDY). Mission of PMJDY is to ensure easy access of financial services for the excluded section i.e. weaker section and the low income group. This effort will certainly go a long way in promoting economic growth and reducing poverty, while mitigating systematic risk and maintaining financial stability. This article focuses on the RBI, GoI initiatives, current status and future prospects of financial inclusion in India on the basis of facts and data provided by various secondary sources. It is concluded that financial inclusion shows positive and valuable changes.

scholarly journals Issues and Challenges of Financial Inclusion Among Low-Income Earners In Rural Areas of Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (Special Issue) ◽  
pp. 277-299
Author(s):  
Salihah Sharizan ◽  
Nur Harena Redzuan ◽  
Romzie Rosman
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Finance Industry

Financial inclusion (FI) appears to be one of the main global agendas as it is an essential way of reducing poverty and increasing the economic growth of a country. FI is the provision of financial services to all segments of society in a more convenient, quality, and affordable way. In this study, the authors analyzed the issues and challenges faced from the two perspectives of the Financial Institutions (FIs) and the rural B40 group concerning the way of pursuing the exclusive of FI. Primary data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with four expert bankers from the Financial Institutions (FIs) in Kuala Rompin, Pahang, and two representatives from the B40 customers in the rural areas of Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia. Based on the findings, barriers faced by the supply sides of the FIs include 1) high risk of cost and security, 2) barriers in communication and lack of financial education, and 3) lack of proof documents. The other challenges are 1) competition with the conventional institutions, 2) default risk due to non-payment, and 3) internet connection problem. On the demand side, the issues and challenges found include 1) lack of confidence, 2) lack of proof documents, 3) misuse of capital, and 4) lack of financial literacy. Henceforth, the findings have significant implications for the Islamic banking and finance industry in exploring the current barriers faced in delivering financial inclusion to the lower segment of the society in Malaysia.

scholarly journals A Study on the Impact of Schemes and Programmes of Government of India on Agriculture to Increase Productivity, Profitability, Financial Inclusion, and Welfare of Farmers to Transform them into Modern Society

2021 ◽  
pp. 231-243
Author(s):  
Mahesh K. M. ◽  
P. S. Aithal ◽  
Sharma K. R. S.
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Modern Technology ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Agricultural Products ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: The foremost intent of this research article is to create awareness about various schemes for the productive sector of agriculture. Through this study, the level of performance of these agricultural schemes and programmes were analysed that will be helpful for the attainment of financial inclusion. Hence it is necessary to know about various schemes and their making to connect the beneficiaries. Agriculture is the basic source of food supply, production, processing, promotion and distribution. Agricultural products contribute to Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P.) and generate employment in rural areas. They transform the lives of the farmers in modern society. The government of India has introduced Minimum Support Price (MPS), MIF, PMKSY, PMFBY, e-NAM, PM-KISAN, PMJDY, PM-KUSUM, PKVY, NAMS, and MGNREGS. The mobile app KisanSuvidha and innovative programmes like Kisan Rail, KrishiUdaan double the farmers’ Income (DFI). These help in transforming village economy, coverage of irrigation, crop insurance, and stabilizing the income. They also ensure financial support, flow of credit and Direct Benefit transfer of subsidies and funds to beneficiaries. Adopting modern technology, farm-based activity, poultry, dairy, forestry, beekeeping and with the support of SHGs which will directly impact productivity, profitability, financial inclusion, and the welfare of farmers in the 21st century and development of the country’s economy. Design/ methodology/approaches: This study is all about the theoretical concepts based on analysis of various schemes and interconnect. Findings and results: This study reveals that the effectiveness of various agricultural programs and also identifies the benefits and beneficiaries of these schemes. Under this research, various financial services, subsidies, funds released, online platform for agricultural products, funds for micro-irrigation, and so on benefits provided by the government of India were studied. Originality/value: Analysed the various schemes and compelled its beneficiaries and develop a modern to achieve financial inclusion and economic growth through the study. Type of Paper: Research Analysis.

scholarly journals FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ZIMBABWE

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 168-182
Author(s):  
David Mhlanga ◽  
◽  
Steven Henry Dunga ◽  
Tankiso Moloi ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Impact

The study sought to investigate the impact of financial inclusion on poverty reduction in Zimbabwe among the smallholder farmers. It is alleged that financial inclusion can help in achieving seven of the seventeen sustainable development goals (SDGs), which include poverty eradication in all its forms everywhere, ending hunger, achieving food security, ensuring improved nutrition as well as promoting sustainable agriculture and many others. Using the simple regression method, the study discovered that financial inclusion has a strong impact on poverty reduction among smallholder farmers. The study went on to discover that, for the government to tackle poverty especially among the smallholder farmers, it is important to ensure that farmers do participate in the financial sector through saving, borrowing and taking out insurance among other services. So, it is important for the government of Zimbabwe to fully implement policies that encourage financial inclusion such as making sure that farmers find it easy to access financial institutions and encouraging financial institutions to review transaction costs like bank account opening charges periodically, implementing financial education programs among the farmers because these variables are important in influencing farmers to participate or preventing them from using financial services.

scholarly journals Digital Financial Services: Prospects and Challenges

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Martha Gertruida Van Niekerk ◽  
Nkgolodishe Hermit Phaladi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Recognition System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Market Abuse ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Digital Identification ◽  
Verification Methods

Digital financial services (DFSs), being financial services accessed and delivered through digital channels, have grown rapidly in South Africa as well as globally. The adoption of the technology for DFSs has led to an increase in financial inclusion, enabling more individuals and businesses to have access to useful and affordable financial products and services, where payments, savings, credit, investment and insurance are included. Through the Financial Sector Regulation Act 9 of 2017 financial inclusion was statutorily enacted for the first time. The regulators are now empowered to insist that financial institutions take proactive steps to expand financial inclusion and can take the necessary steps to enforce these powers. One of the factors that have an influence on whether consumers will adopt DFSs is consumers' perspectives of DFSs. Lack of information and knowledge combined with the cost of data negatively influences the adoption of DFSs. The transfer of information to unbanked people in South Africa with regards to DFSs should be enhanced by the state as it strives to improve financial literacy. DFSs are susceptible to financial crimes like fraud, money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, corruption and market abuse. The challenges that threaten the interests of customers should be addressed by stricter information verification methods when transacting with clients online. Technological detectors and digital identification should be used more effectively to verify customers and to alert authorities to suspicious transactions. Financial institutions might consider authenticating online transactions by thumb-print or a voice recognition system. This paper emphasises that because of the prospects of greater and deeper financial inclusion in South Africa, the use of DFSs has to be improved and developed and the challenges have to be constructively addressed to unleash the true potential thereof.

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia: Is It on the Right Track?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tekeste Berhanu Lakew ◽  
Hossein Azadi
Keyword(s):  
Financial Institutions ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
East African ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Impact

It is important to evaluate the impact of Ethiopia’s financial inclusion strategy since it has been launched in 2014. Accordingly, this paper assesses the extent to which the target has been met. The main aim of this study is to measure the success or failure of Ethiopia’s financial inclusion in comparison with other countries in East Africa. Using secondary data, this study revealed that Ethiopia’s financial inclusion is not as successful as other East African countries. This study also found that Ethiopians prefer informal saving clubs rather than formal financial organs. This preference, combined with unemployment and low income, is the barrier to the financial inclusion strategy. Based on the findings, identifying and addressing root causes should be done by removing distance, cost, credit, and documentation barriers. Moreover, the findings showed that access to public transit can also expand the reach of formal financial institutions by encouraging more people to physically access financial institutions. This study recommended access to formal financial organs as a core to financial institutions. Access to formal financial organs should be boosted through increasing financial institutions. Educating individuals about their financial circumstances were also recommended so that people can increase their formal saving uptake. This paper also recommended that the government develop regulatory guidelines for the functioning of financial institutions. The main outcome, therefore, is that financial institutions could be more transparent and predictable, reduce costs, and simplify the rules for entering the market.

scholarly journals Proposed Theoretical Measurement Model for Financial Inclusion with Perspective of Refuge Inhabitants

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-25
Author(s):  
S. Sheik Abdullah ◽  
A. Krishna Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Literacy ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Measurement Model ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Poor People ◽  
Supply Side ◽  
Complex Processes

Financial inclusion takes into account the participation of vulnerable groups such as weaker sections of the society and low income groups, based on the extent of their access to financial services such as savings and payment account, credit insurance, pensions etc. Also the objective of financial inclusion exercise is easy availability of financial services which allows maximum investment in business opportunities, education, save for retirement, insurance against risks by the rural individuals and firms. The penetration of financial services in the rural areas of India is still very low. The factors responsible for this condition can be looked at from both supply side and demand side and the major reason for low penetration of financial services is, probably, lack of supply. The reasons for low demand for financial services could be low income level, lack of financial literacy, other bank accounts in the family, etc. On the other hand, the supply side factors include no bank branch in the vicinity, lack of suitable products meeting the needs of the poor people, complex processes and language barriers. There is no studies conducted earlier especially financial inclusion initiatives with refugee inhabitants. Therefore this study was undertaken to propose the model of refugee inhabitants towards financial inclusion initiatives by the banks. The exhibited model consisting four essential factors, which are very useful for measuring financial inclusion practices.

scholarly journals FINANCIAL INCLUSION – ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EUROZONE?

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 81-90
Author(s):  
Oana Mirela Cojocaru (Diaconescu) ◽  
Otilia Georgiana Floroiu
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Convergence Criteria ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Operational Errors

Factors leading to financial exclusion are primary linked to shortages of financial resources, high costs for financial services, distrust in financial institutions, and lack of financial education. Financial inclusion of the population can sustain economic monetary and financial stability by taking efficient saving and investing decisions or by boosting the performance of an economy. In a responsible financial system, people can safely save money without fearing losing it as a result of fraud, theft, or operational errors, can conduct financial transactions, can take a loan for consumption or for investing in personal development or business idea with a proper understanding of the terms and conditions, and they can insure themselves against any kind of risk. Considering that financial exclusion leads to social exclusion, the need to establish institutions that can offer marginalized categories of the population access to different financing means is obvious, especially in rural areas. People can use financing for self-employment or for implementing entrepreneurial ideas that can generate new jobs and revenue for the community. This paper adds to the existing literature in identifying the existing relations between financial inclusion and economic growth and further investigates if an increase in the level of financial inclusion has an impact on achieving the convergence criteria and therefore entering the Eurozone.

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