|
on Financial Literacy and Education |
|
Issue of 2025–02–03
five papers chosen by Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca |
| By: | Kingsley, Obiora; Ozili, Peterson K |
| Abstract: | Using six widely accepted indicators, this study compares the progress made in financial inclusion in Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the World, with a view to deducing lessons that each entity can improve upon. We find that Nigeria outperformed sub-Saharan Africa in three indicators of financial inclusion while sub-Saharan Africa did better than Nigeria in one metric. Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa exceeded the World average in informal borrowings. We also constructed an index of financial inclusion and found that financial institution account ownership, formal borrowing, informal borrowing and debit or card ownership are significant positive determinants of the financial inclusion index. These findings indicate that policymakers in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa have significant room for improving their financial inclusion standings towards the global average. We make recommendations on the aspects where policymakers can place their focus in pursuit of this goal. |
| Keywords: | financial inclusion, Nigeria, Sub-Saharan Africa, digital financial inclusion |
| JEL: | G00 G20 |
| Date: | 2024 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:121548 |
| By: | Zakaria Elouaourti; Aomar Ibourk |
| Abstract: | This paper was originally published on sciencedirect.com Our study aims to investigate the role of financial inclusion as a mediator in the relationship between contextual factors and entrepreneurial willingness in Africa. While previous research has emphasized the importance of improving institutional and contextual factors to foster entrepreneurship, our study adds a new dimension by highlighting the critical need for tailored financial services that can cater to the unique needs of African entrepreneurs. In light of this, we have employed a robust and comprehensive methodology, leveraging micro-level data that covers 44, 129 African adults and using Instrumental Variable Probit estimation. This approach allows us to offer valuable insights into the factors driving entrepreneurship in Africa. Our results suggest financial inclusion as a crucial determinant in the relationship between contextual factors and entrepreneurship in Africa, with the usage dimension being more important than the access dimension. Our findings reveal that the impact of contextual factors on entrepreneurship in Africa is strongly influenced by financial inclusion. By acting as a mediator, financial inclusion plays a pivotal role in shaping entrepreneurial willingness. Moreover, policymakers in Africa should focus on improving the business environment, addressing key contextual determinants of entrepreneurship where most African countries face a significant deficit compared to the world's top-ranking economies. These determinants include institutional quality, infrastructure, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) adoption, health, skills, product market, labor market, and innovation capability. Our study advances the field of research in two key ways. First, it provides empirically grounded evidence on both individual and contextual factors that can stimulate entrepreneurship in Africa. Given the representativeness of our sample, the policy implications of our study are valuable, offering useful insights for international institutions and policymakers working to promote entrepreneurship in Africa. Second, in contrast to previous studies on financial inclusion that use macroeconomic data to quantify the multidimensionality of financial inclusion, our study is unique in that it constructs a financial inclusion index based on microeconomic data to quantify the financial inclusion level of each individual in our sample. |
| Date: | 2024–03 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:rpaeco:rpnn_78 |
| By: | Christian de Boissieu |
| Abstract: | Faced with the rise of cryptocurrencies, central banks are responding by launching their digital currencies. The purpose of this Policy Brief is to provide an update on the preparation of central bank digital currencies (CBDs) by monetary authorities, a process that concerns all emerging, developing, and more advanced countries. It is also about analyzing the conditions and some of the consequences (for banks, for financial inclusion, for the conduct of monetary policy...) of such a financial innovation, systematically distinguishing between wholesale and retail CBDCs. |
| Date: | 2023–04 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:ocp:pbecon:pb_19_23_0 |
| By: | Md. Shahbub Alam (Assistant Professor, Dept. of Accounting and Information Systems, Islamic University, Bangladesh Author-2-Name: Md. Mazedul Haque Author-2-Workplace-Name: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Marketing, Islamic University, Bangladesh. Author-3-Name: Md. Mahedi Hasan Author-3-Workplace-Name: Assistant Professor, Dept. of Law and Land Management, Islamic University, Bangladesh. Author-4-Name: Author-4-Workplace-Name: Author-5-Name: Author-5-Workplace-Name: Author-6-Name: Author-6-Workplace-Name: Author-7-Name: Author-7-Workplace-Name: Author-8-Name: Author-8-Workplace-Name:) |
| Abstract: | " Objective - The study's purpose is to examine the impact of financial status on the academic performance of public university students in Bangladesh. Methodology/Technique - The researchers used a quantitative approach because the empirical evaluations rely on numerical measurement and analysis. Self-administered survey questionnaires were used to acquire the primary data. This study consisted of 100 randomly chosen respondents from different departments at Islamic University in Bangladesh. The SPSS software was utilized to code and compile all of the information that was obtained from the participants. Finding - The study shows a significant positive correlation between the academic performance of university students and their financial difficulties and issues. Financial satisfaction, affluent financial status, and students' academic performance are less positively correlated. Novelty - The study advised the students that they have to cope with any financial difficulty. The parents should play a good role in their family by paying attention to their child's financial condition. The government should make a conducive policy relating to academics as well as the overall environment. The university should make some positive policies that allow students who come from underprivileged families to pay tuition fees and minimize other academic fees, which can eliminate financial anxiety and bring attention to academic performance. Type of Paper - Empirical" |
| Keywords: | academic performance, financial problems, financial satisfaction, Bangladesh. |
| JEL: | A20 G0 G59 |
| Date: | 2024–12–31 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:gtr:gatrjs:gjbssr656 |
| By: | Radhicka Kapoor (Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)) |
| Abstract: | Women entrepreneurship is a key driver of economic inclusion and growth. There are several government programmes available to enable entrepreneurship in India, some are dedicated programmes for women-led enterprises. However, several challenges remain with respect to access to finances, markets, technology and skills. In this policy brief, we recognise that there is significant scope to leverage the digital advancements made by India to address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in accessing finance, skills, networks and markets, thereby unshackling the potential of women entrepreneurship. While male entrepreneurs too, stand to gain from these advances, for women entrepreneurs they can prove to be particularly beneficial as they help alleviate several barriers which emanate from restrictive norms that are deep-rooted in society. |
| Keywords: | women entrepreneurship, digital technology, finance, market access, icrier |
| Date: | 2024–10 |
| URL: | https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:bdc:ppaper:27 |