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Financial shocks and savings amongst Africa's middle class: Insights from FinTech data

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  • Abubakar, Jamila
  • Aysan, Ahmet F.
  • Disli, Mustafa
  • Elnahass, Marwa

Abstract

A significant body of literature suggests the African middle-class's vulnerability to financial shocks. We utilise a unique dataset from a FinTech platform containing detailed savings transactions in Nigeria from 2017 to 2022. Our analysis examines the effect of financial shocks on financial resilience and savings accumulation for middle-income individuals and young people, controlling for demographic and account characteristics. Our findings indicate that financial shocks lead to savings volatility and decreased savings accumulation for these groups. Women, younger people, and people with lower salaries exhibit less volatile savings. We find compelling evidence that non-food shocks have a more significant impact on volatility and dissavings for these sub-groups. These findings highlight the critical role of FinTech platforms in understanding and mitigating the effects of financial shocks and underscore the need for protective policies to enhance financial resilience amidst economic volatility.

Suggested Citation

  • Abubakar, Jamila & Aysan, Ahmet F. & Disli, Mustafa & Elnahass, Marwa, 2025. "Financial shocks and savings amongst Africa's middle class: Insights from FinTech data," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:103:y:2025:i:c:s1059056025005775
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2025.104414
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D0 - Microeconomics - - General
    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • D14 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Saving; Personal Finance
    • G01 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Financial Crises
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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