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Banking digitalization and financial inclusion: bibliometric analysis and perspectives in emerging economies

Author

Listed:
  • Isabelle Margareta OPREA

    (Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania)

  • Emanuela-Adina NICULA

    (Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania)

Abstract

The accelerating digital transformation of the financial sector has reshaped global banking systems, exerting a particularly strong influence in emerging economies where digital infrastructure and financial inclusion remain unevenly developed. Understanding how banking digitalization affects access to financial services is crucial for addressing socio-economic inequalities and promoting inclusive, sustainable growth. This paper examines the relationship between banking digitalization and financial inclusion through a bibliometric analysis of international academic research published between 2020 and May 2025. The objective is to identify temporal publication dynamics, dominant thematic clusters, leading authors, and collaboration patterns within the field, with a specific emphasis on emerging economies. The analysis was based on 962 articles indexed in the Web of Science database, using the title keywords “digit†and “bank*†. Data were processed with VOSviewer 1.6.20 to construct and visualise keyword co-occurrence networks, co-citation relationships, and author collaboration structures. The findings indicate a sharp post-2021 growth in publications, reflecting the acceleration of digital banking amid the pandemic-driven transition to contactless financial systems. Three major research clusters were identified—digital transformation, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and user behaviour—while the relative scarcity of “financial inclusion†within keyword networks reveals a persistent conceptual fragmentation. Influential studies emphasise both the enabling role of digital tools in broadening access and their potential to deepen exclusion when regulation, infrastructure, or literacy are weak. Co-authorship networks confirm a growing thematic specialisation across macroeconomics, monetary policy, and technological innovation. Overall, banking digitalization presents significant opportunities to advance financial inclusion in emerging economies, but its success depends on integrative governance, digital capacity, and equitable policy frameworks.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabelle Margareta OPREA & Emanuela-Adina NICULA, 2026. "Banking digitalization and financial inclusion: bibliometric analysis and perspectives in emerging economies," Access Journal, Access Press Publishing House, vol. 7(1), pages 21-42, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:aip:access:v:7:y:2026:i:1:p:21-42
    DOI: 10.46656/access.2026.7.1(2)
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G21 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Banks; Other Depository Institutions; Micro Finance Institutions; Mortgages
    • O16 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Financial Markets; Saving and Capital Investment; Corporate Finance and Governance
    • O57 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Comparative Studies of Countries
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General

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