Exploring the impact of fintech on financial inclusion: Literature review

Abstract

Financial inclusion refers to providing financial products and services to households and small businesses that were previously excluded, as a means of promoting more inclusive growth. This includes access to savings, investment, consumption smoothing, and insurance. Fintech is the use of software, applications, and digital platforms to provide financial services to consumers and businesses through digital devices like smartphones. It has gained recognition as a promising way to promote financial inclusion. This paper examines the impact of financial technology (fintech) on financial inclusion through a literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) to identify the ways in which fintech contributes to and can potentially contribute to increased financial inclusion. The paper provides a brief history of fintech, reviews the literature on fintech and financial inclusion, and discusses how fintech can increase access to financial services, promote financial literacy and consumer protection, and support the growth of micro and small enterprises. The paper concludes with empirical evidence on the impact of fintech on financial inclusion.

Classification JEL: G23

Paper type: Theoretical Research