nep-fle New Economics Papers
on Financial Literacy and Education
Issue of 2026–01–26
five papers chosen by
Viviana Di Giovinazzo, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca


  1. FinTechs and digital financial services landscape of Malawi: A supply-side analysis By Makoza, Frank
  2. Accessibility and perceived cost of digital banking services in a security crisis context in Goma, DR. Congo By Clément Wakwinga Wabenga; Préféré Burhonyi Burhashengwa
  3. Can artificial intelligence help improve the financial literacy of primary schools’ students? By Bojidara Doseva; Catherine Dehon; Antonio Estache
  4. The Rise and Regulation of Digital Credit: Lessons from Indonesia By Alibhai, Salman; Breza, Emily; Kanz, Martin; Strobbe, Francesco
  5. Resource Dependence and Social Stratification in Sub-Saharan Africa By Akeliwira, Ayuune George; Owusu-Mensah, Isaac

  1. By: Makoza, Frank
    Abstract: Financial Technology (FinTech) organisations are perceived to be enablers of digital financial services in Malawi. They support efficient business transactions, secure payments instead of cash, lower transactions costs and support financial inclusion. While the phenomenon of FinTech has received attention among scholars, FinTech landscape of Malawi (e.g. supply-side) is not well documented. This paper analysed the FinTech landscape of Malawi focusing on profiling organisations, digital financial services and regulations. Using secondary data, the findings showed diversity of FinTech services e.g. mobile money, digital wallets, card-based payments, cloud banking services, microfinance and international remittance services. FinTechs operating in formal sector were regulated, while other FinTechs offering services for cryptocurrencies and crowdfunding platforms were not covered in the financial sector regulations. The study contributes towards literature on FinTechs in Malawi and highlights areas of further research.
    Keywords: Financial Technology, FinTechs, Supply-side, Digital financial services, Malawi
    Date: 2026
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:335108
  2. By: Clément Wakwinga Wabenga (CURDES - Université du Burundi, République du Burundi. Centre Universitaire de Recherche pour le Développement Économique et Social (CURDES) & Faculté des Sciences Économiques et de Gestion, Université de Goma ;(UNIGOM), République Démocratique du Congo.); Préféré Burhonyi Burhashengwa (UNIGOM - Faculté des Sciences Économiques et de Gestion ; Université de Goma (UNIGOM), République Démocratique du Congo)
    Abstract: This study has investigated the determinants of access to digital banking services in the context of a security crisis in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. Its primary objective has been to examine the extent to which cost perception has influenced the adoption of digital financial services within an environment marked by instability and socio-economic disparities. A mixed-methods approach has been employed, combining a quantitative survey of 400 bank clients with a logit econometric analysis, as well as qualitative interviews conducted with selected bank employees and representatives of business associations. The findings have revealed that although 89% of respondents have held a digital bank account, only 37.5% have used it regularly. Contrary to expectations, cost perception has not exerted a statistically significant effect on usage (p = 0.746). The study has further demonstrated that, despite functional limitations primarily linked to network connectivity issues, all commercial banks operating in Goma have implemented digital solutions that have supplemented traditional banking services and have ensured the continuity of essential financial services during the crisis period. However, socio-professional status, monthly income, digital literacy, and access to mobile networks have emerged as significant determinants. Additionally, the survey has highlighted a lack of fee transparency, which has contributed to user distrust. The study has concluded that financial inclusion policies in fragile contexts must be rethought by promoting digital literacy, enhancing pricing transparency, and improving connectivity infrastructure. It has contributed to a deeper understanding of digital exclusion dynamics in crisis settings and has opened the way for comparative research in other chronically unstable regions. Keywords: financial inclusion, digital banking services, cost perception, digital literacy, security crisis.JEL Classification: G21, D12, O33, I38, R28Paper Type: Empirical Research
    Abstract: Cette étude a exploré les déterminants de l'accessibilité aux services bancaires numériques dans un contexte de crise sécuritaire à Goma en République Démocratique du Congo. L'objectif principal était d'analyser dans quelle mesure la perception du coût influence l'adoption des services financiers numériques, dans un environnement marqué par l'instabilité et les inégalités socio-économiques. Une approche mixte a été adoptée, combinant une enquête quantitative menée auprès de 400 clients de banques avec une analyse économétrique par modèle logit, ainsi que des entretiens qualitatifs avec certains employés de banques et de représentants des corporations patronales. Les résultats ont montré que bien que 89 % des répondants disposent d'un compte bancaire numérique, seuls 37, 5 % l'utilisent régulièrement. La perception du coût, contre toute attente, n'a pas exercé d'effet significatif sur l'usage (p = 0, 746). L'étude a démontré que, malgré les limites fonctionnelles principalement liées aux problèmes de connectivité du réseau, toutes les banques commerciales opérant dans la ville de Goma ont mis en place des solutions numériques ayant suppléé aux services bancaires classiques et assuré la continuité des services essentiels aux besoins primaires pour leurs clients durant cette période de crise sécuritaire. En revanche, le statut socio-professionnel, le revenu mensuel, la compétence numérique et l'accès au réseau mobile ont constitué des facteurs déterminants. De plus, l'enquête a mis en lumière une faible transparence des frais, renforçant la méfiance des usagers. L'étude conclut à la nécessité de repenser les politiques d'inclusion financière dans les zones fragiles en favorisant la littératie numérique, la transparence tarifaire et l'amélioration des infrastructures de connectivité. Elle contribue à une meilleure compréhension des dynamiques d'exclusion numérique dans les contextes de crise, et ouvre la voie à des recherches comparatives dans d'autres zones à instabilité chronique. Mots-clés : inclusion financière, services bancaires numériques, perception du coût, compétence numérique, crise sécuritaire.JEL Classification : G21, D12, O33, I38, R28Type du papier : Recherche empirique
    Keywords: security crisis. JEL Classification: G21, inclusion financière services bancaires numériques perception du coût compétence numérique crise sécuritaire. JEL Classification : G21 D12 O33 I38 R28 Type du papier : Recherche empirique financial inclusion digital banking services cost perception digital literacy security crisis. JEL Classification: G21 D12 O33 I38 R28, inclusion financière, services bancaires numériques, perception du coût, R28, compétence numérique, digital literacy, cost perception, digital banking services, R28 Type du papier : Recherche empirique financial inclusion, I38, O33, D12, crise sécuritaire. JEL Classification : G21
    Date: 2025–11–04
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05345510
  3. By: Bojidara Doseva; Catherine Dehon; Antonio Estache
    Abstract: The paper reports the results of an experiment designed to compare the impact on financial literacy skills of primary school students of a switch from a traditional pedagogical approach supported by textbooks to one relying on AI-supported methods favouring the gamification of the learning process. The study focuses on 152 students aged 8 to 11 distributed across six classes in a Bulgarian public school. The results show an important statistically significant literacy improvement for the treatment group. It also discusses the contextual dimensions accounted for in control variables that may lead to outcome differences according to the families’ socio-economic background.
    Keywords: Artificial Intelligence; Education and Training; Financial Markets; Household Finance
    Date: 2025–09–01
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:eca:wpaper:2013/401374
  4. By: Alibhai, Salman; Breza, Emily; Kanz, Martin; Strobbe, Francesco
    Abstract: This paper examines the rise of fintech lending in Indonesia, using a dataset of more than 139, 000 individual credit records representative of the full spectrum of consumer loans in the country. The analysis reveals that fintech lending has become deeply embedded in Indonesia’s financial landscape, with more than 40 percent of borrowers holding at least one fintech loan at the end of the sample period. While digital lenders have expanded financial inclusion by reaching significant numbers of previously unbanked households, they remain limited in their geographical reach, primarily finance consumption, and account for only a small share of total consumer credit. Over time, a substantial share of borrowers transition from high-interest fintech loans to more affordable conventional credit. However, this expansion of access brings new challenges: default rates among borrowers who obtain their first loan from a digital lender are 5 to 7 percentage points higher than among borrowers who start with non-fintech loans, and elevated default risks persist even after borrowers graduate to lower-interest rate conventional credit. The paper concludes by assessing the effects of recent regulatory reforms --such as interest rate caps and harmonized reporting standards for digital and conventional loans-- and offers policy recommendations to maximize the benefits of digital financial inclusion while safeguarding credit market stability and financial consumer protection.
    Date: 2026–01–21
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:11300
  5. By: Akeliwira, Ayuune George; Owusu-Mensah, Isaac
    Abstract: This study examines the relationship between natural resource rents and income inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The empirical analysis covers 24 countries over the period 1998-2020. Econometric estimations are conducted using both fixed and random effects models to account for country-specific and time-invariant factors. Using the Gini coefficient as a proxy for inequality, the results suggest that total natural resource rents do not have a statistically significant effect on income inequality in the region. In contrast, access to financial services and digital technologies appear to be more influential in reducing inequality. The findings highlight the potential importance of inclusive development policies, such as allocating resource wealth to social programs in education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Additionally, promoting economic diversification and strengthening governance institutions may support more effective management of natural resources. The observed negative and statistically significant associations between information and communication technology (ICT) and financial development with inequality indicate that investments in ICT infrastructure and measures to enhance financial inclusion could contribute to addressing income disparities in the region.
    Keywords: Inequality, Sub-Saharan Africa, Natural Resource Rents, Gini Coefficient, Economic Growth
    Date: 2025
    URL: https://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:zbw:esprep:334397

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