A Financial Inclusion as a Catalyst for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Akeem Olaide Abimbola
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level

The purpose of this article is to examine the role financial inclusion can play in the reduction of poverty in Nigeria. Financial inclusion which can be explained as access to formal financial services such as credit, savings and insurance opportunities is still very vague in developing countries such as Nigeria where there is high level of poverty. The country has a large number of ‘unbanked’ people whose business activities are not captured in the country’s economic reports. These ‘unbanked’ populaces are illiterates who are either unemployed or under employed and lack access to financial services and information, and are totally excluded in the financial ecosystem and market. It examines the roles of government and financial institutions and the use of various mobile initiatives such as mobile banking, mobile money, agent banking etc. as financial inclusion tools to stimulate poverty reduction. Time series analysis on data obtained from secondary sources between the periods of 1992 and 2016 was adopted by the authors and the study covered financial inclusion as it relates to unbanked people in Nigeria. Other empirical studies in this field were used to strengthen the OLS findings. It was concluded that majority of the ‘unbanked’ in Nigeria are low income people who do not have access to financial services and information on financial inclusion. While few are timid on the need to use a bank, a large number of them are willing to use banking services and believe the availability of these services will help improve their economic condition. At the end of the paper, it is recommended that the government should encourage Banks to continue to take advantage of all the financial inclusion policies of the government in mobilizing funds from the informal sector into the banking system and this can be best done by increasing the amount of customers within the financial system as a tool for encouraging financial inclusion and stimulating the economy and thereby reducing poverty in the country

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion as a Catalyst for Poverty Reduction in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (06) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akeem Abimbola ◽  
Felicia O. Olokoyo ◽  
Opeyemi Babalola ◽  
Elemide Farouk
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level ◽  
Number Of Customers

Financial inclusion which can be explained as access to formal financial services such as credit, savings and insurance opportunities is still very vague in developing countries such as Nigeria where there is high level of poverty. The country has a large number of ‘unbanked’ people whose business activities are not captured in the country’s economic reports. These ‘unbanked’ populaces are illiterates who are either unemployed or under-employed and lack access to financial services and information and are totally excluded in the financial ecosystem and market. Hence, this paper examines the role of financial inclusion in the reduction of poverty in Nigeria.  It examines the roles of government and financial institutions and the use of various mobile initiatives such as mobile banking, mobile money, agent banking etc. as financial inclusion tools to stimulate poverty reduction. Time series analysis on data obtained from secondary sources between the periods of 1992 and 2016 was adopted and the paper covered financial inclusion as it relates to unbanked people in Nigeria. The paper found out that majority of the ‘unbanked’ in Nigeria are low income people who do not have access to financial services and information on financial inclusion. While few are timid on the need to use a bank, many them are willing to use banking services and believe the availability of these services will help improve their economic condition. The paper therefore recommends that the banks should be encouraged to continue to take advantage of all the financial inclusion policies of the government in mobilizing funds from the informal sector into the banking system. This can be best done by increasing the number of customers within the financial system as a tool for encouraging financial inclusion and stimulating the economy and thereby reducing poverty in the country.

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.

FINANCIAL STABILITY AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION: THE CASE OF SME LENDING

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (01) ◽  
pp. 111-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
PETER J. MORGAN ◽  
VICTOR PONTINES
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Stability ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Bank Lending ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Nonperforming Loans ◽  
Z Scores ◽  
Negative Impacts

Developing economies are seeking to promote financial inclusion, i.e., greater access to financial services for low-income households and firms. This raises the question of whether greater financial inclusion tends to increase or decrease financial stability. A number of studies have suggested both positive and negative impacts on financial stability, but very few empirical studies have been made. This study focuses on the implications of greater financial inclusion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for financial stability. It estimates the effects of measures of the share of bank lending to SMEs on two measures of financial stability — bank nonperforming loans and bank Z scores. We find some evidence that an increased share of lending to SMEs aids financial stability by reducing non-performing loans (NPLs) and the probability of default by financial institutions.

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 Empowering Women through Financial Inclusion in Zimbabwe Is the Gender Gap Not Encroaching This Noble Cause?

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-64
Author(s):  
Lettiah Gumbo ◽  
Precious Dube ◽  
Muhammad Ridwan
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
National Development ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Financial Products ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Government ◽  
Financial Awareness

One of the most effective catalysts of economic growth of any nation is obviously financial inclusion. However, in developing countries such as Zimbabwe gender gap is still an impediment to the achievement of financial inclusion for all. Research findings for this paper show that, increasing women’s financial opportunities and financial awareness on how to access financial products and services will go a long way in reducing the gender gap. Furthermore, increasing access to and use of quality financial products and services is essential to inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction. Although the government of Zimbabwe is taking steps to increase women financial inclusiveness, research shows that women in Zimbabwe trail behind men in as far as access to financial services is concerned. Zimbabwean communities remain dominantly patriarchal and women are always lagging behind in developmental projects meant for their empowerment. This paper seeks to assess the implementation of women’s financial inclusion highlighting opportunities and barriers such as the gender gap and how this may be overcome. The study is qualitative in nature and therefore makes use of interviews and questionnaires for data collection. It is envisioned by the researchers that the research findings will be beneficial to women; their empowerment and development and national development. It is hoped to change the way in which the banking and financial sectors deal with women’s financial inclusion for the betterment of their livelihoods.  Furthermore, women’s financial empowerment will improve livelihoods of many families given the caring nature of mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers.

Effectiveness of Financial Inclusion Initiatives

2018 ◽  
pp. 48-65
Author(s):  
K. Sanal Nair ◽  
Saumya Jain
Keyword(s):  
Research Methodology ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Credit Card ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Indian Government ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Government ◽  
One Way Anova

An inclusive financial system has been the major agenda of the Indian government over the past few years and several steps have been taken in this direction. The main purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness of financial inclusion initiatives taken by Rajasthan government. A questionnaire was drafted and was sent to people from weaker section of the society who have been the beneficiaries of the financial inclusion initiative of the government. Research methodology adopted for the study includes descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA was used to test the association/non-association between the variables. The study concluded towards lack of awareness and usage of financial inclusion initiatives, especially internet, mobile banking, and credit card. In terms of experience with financial services, respondents were positive towards interest on loans and help received by banking staff with respect to documentation and identification norms as well as branch timings. However, distance from the bank and the availability of ATM was an issue for them.

scholarly journals Financial Inclusion through Islamic Banking

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 324
Author(s):  
Mumna Nazar
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Islamic Banking ◽  
Committee Report ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
The People ◽  
Financial Exclusion

<div><p><em>Financial inclusion is a buzz word today. It plays an important role in driving away the poverty from the country. Financial inclusion is the process of ensuring financial services to the weaker sections of the society at an affordable cost. As per the Sachar Committee Report, Muslims in India are financially excluded. Even though they have an account, the extent of usage is very low due to the religious reasons.  The Non-Muslims also do not actively engage in the formal financial system due to the interest involvement. Islamic Bank can serve as a remedy for the financial exclusion of the Muslims as well as Non-Muslims community. The objective of this paper is to understand the extent of financial inclusion among the people in Kerala and their awareness and preference towards Islamic banking. Both primary and secondary data are collected for the study. Secondary data are collected from various secondary sources like published articles, journals, reports, books and websites. Primary data are collected with the help of questionnaire among people in Kerala. The study revealed that most of the respondents have accessed bank accounts but the extent of usage is only for namesake. Moreover the awareness and preference towards Islamic Banking is very high among the Muslims as well as Non-Muslims and suggested that proper care must be taken for introducing Islamic banking system in India. It will ultimately leads to the inclusive growth of our country.</em></p></div>

Integration of Waqf towards enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic justice in Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-505
Author(s):  
Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro ◽  
Ram Al Jaffri Saad ◽  
Aidi Ahmi ◽  
Mohd Yahya Mohd Hussin
Keyword(s):  
World View ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Economic Justice ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Financial Exclusion ◽  
Conceptual Study ◽  
High Level

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the role of Waqf as a means of enhancing financial inclusion and socio-economic justice in Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach The methodology in this paper is that the data were elicited from secondary sources such as the Al-Qur’an, Hadiths and other empirical studies in the existing literature. The Tawhidi epistemology (Islamic world view) also has been obtained to deliver better understanding on the findings. Findings The paper implores Islamic societies to take advantages of integrating Waqf to support the financing needs of disadvantaged members of the Muslims communities, especially the Muslims, dominated northern Nigeria with a high level of financial exclusion. The Waqf funds if integrated and institutionalized will support the region by making the fewer privilege members of that community-engaged thereby economically and enhancing the financial inclusion. This will also lead to economic growth and socio-economic development of Nigeria. Practical implications The paper concludes by suggesting the establishment of Waqf funds to supports the less privileged people through Islamic Microfinance as means of enhancing socio-economic justice in Nigeria’s Muslims’ communities, which is negatively affected by the high rate of financial exclusion and poverty. This paper also provides critical suggestions on the ways the integration of Waqf funds will contribute significantly towards assisting Nigeria in achieving its vision of reducing the financial exclusion rate and may foster inclusive growth and sustainable development. Originality/value This paper is a conceptual study and, therefore, limited to the content of the existing literature. Hence, the future researchers may replicate and test it empirically for a more scientific justification regarding the roles of Waqf towards enhancing financial inclusion in Nigeria.

Impact of Mobile Payment Applications and Transfers on Business

2020 ◽  
pp. 173-189
Author(s):  
Gladys Wanjiku Thuita
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Mobile Banking ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Income Levels ◽  
Mobile Money ◽  
Slum Dwellers ◽  
And Training

Despite Kenya having over 40 banks, only three banks are accessible to the residents of Kibera Slum. Kibera Slum is located on the outskirts of Nairobi and is home to approximately 0.75 million people. A majority of the population in Kibera Slum comprises of either unemployed or casually employed adults whose income levels are considerably low, making it impossible for many of them to operate formal bank accounts. However, the evolution of mobile money technologies has made financial inclusion and innovation possible for Kibera Slum residents. The mobile-banking facility known as M-Pesa enables mobile money remittances and has an outstanding record of financial inclusion and innovation. The objective of this research was therefore to examine financial inclusion and innovation in the Kibera Slum. The study used self-administered questionnaires to answer to two objectives. The study found out that M-Pesa services are accessible and widely used in Kibera Slum. The study also found that M-Pesa business is rated average as a source of income to M-Pesa agent. Ultimately, the study observed that financial inclusion and financial innovation are prevalent in Kibera Slum. These findings have significant implications: the study sheds light on the fact that the slum dwellers have embraced the use of M-Pesa services as a platform to access financial services, establishing more innovative financial services that will help the low income earners expand their businesses and training M-Pesa agents will enhance sustainable business growth and promote innovation.

scholarly journals Concentration and Competition in the Albanian Banking Sector

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleana Lici ◽  
Irena Boboli
Keyword(s):  
Financial Services ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Banking System ◽  
External Financing ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Banking Market ◽  
The Government ◽  
High Level

Albania has a relatively new financial system, where banking system is the most developed financial service in our country, with a share of 94, 4% of the total financial services. This is a phenomenon of countries with emerging economies, which proves that there is greater reliance on the state economic development of the banking sector, by effecting from the households to the biggest investors and the government. As in any market, competition is important for the banking sector because, it affects the efficiency and the quality of services offered. Furthermore, competition in banking has also implications for other sectors of the economy. So, higher competition in the banking sector is found to be associated with a faster growth of other sectors of the economy that rely on external financing. The main goal of this paper is to understand the characteristics of competition in our banking system and study the relationship between the level of concentration and competition. We are going to measure the concentration by the “H” indices. The “H” (Herfindaflit) indices is a measure of the level of the concentration of the banking system of a country. A high level of the indices shows a high level of concentration and as a consequence a low level of competition. A low level of the indices shows a low level of concentration which is sign of a banking market with a high competition.

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