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Financial Inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS): A Study in Uganda

Author

Listed:
  • Jimmy Ebong

    (Financial Sector Deepening Uganda, Kampala P.O. Box 608, Uganda)

  • Babu George

    (School of Business, Christian Brothers University, 650 East Parkway South, Memphis, TN 38104, USA)

Abstract

This study unravels trends and momentum in banking and mobile money channels and uptake of select services and thereafter draws implications for enhancing financial inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS). The Rate of Change (ROC) approach was applied to analyze the growth momentum in banking and mobile money channels in Uganda. Implications for growth momentum in banking and mobile money channels for DFS and financial inclusion was drawn from observing and making informed interpretation of such observed trends and momentum. The findings of this study imply that banks must innovate to increase their contribution towards enhancing financial inclusion. Additional channel innovations, which may infuse banking and mobile money channels, are needed for banking to leverage on growth of mobile money and regain its role in enhancing financial inclusion. Leveraging the application of digital innovations in services such as payments and digitizing alternative channels such as agent banking are likely to increase efficiencies in physical channels and the provision of banking services and thereby increase overall reach and penetration of banking. The fast pace of mobile money penetration is good for speeding up financial inclusion. However, this calls for better regulatory approaches for DFS risk reduction, consumer protection, and protecting mobile money against integrity and financial crimes.

Suggested Citation

  • Jimmy Ebong & Babu George, 2021. "Financial Inclusion through Digital Financial Services (DFS): A Study in Uganda," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:14:y:2021:i:9:p:393-:d:620354
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Munacinga Simatele & Loyiso Maciko, 2022. "Financial Inclusion in Rural South Africa: A Qualitative Approach," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Favourate Y. Mpofu & David Mhlanga, 2022. "Digital Financial Inclusion, Digital Financial Services Tax and Financial Inclusion in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era in Africa," Economies, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Pengju Liu & Yitong Zhang & Shengqi Zhou, 2023. "Has Digital Financial Inclusion Narrowed the Urban–Rural Income Gap? A Study of the Spatial Influence Mechanism Based on Data from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-20, February.

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