Mobile payment as a lever for financial inclusion of women in MOROCCO: An exploratory study in the Tangier Tetouan Al Hoceima region

Abstract

Financial exclusion remains a major barrier to the economic empowerment of women in Morocco, particularly in rural or low-income areas. This study explores the extent to which mobile payment can help reduce these inequalities in access to formal financial services, based on an exploratory qualitative case study conducted in the Tanger-Tetouan-Al Hoceima region. Data were collected through fifteen semi-structured interviews with female users of mobile payment services, selected via online professional networks. The analysis followed a manual thematic approach inspired by Mucchielli's principles to identify the drivers and barriers to the adoption of these technologies.

The findings highlight five key factors influencing the use of mobile payment: ease of use, perceived security, knowledge of services, access to technology, and sociocultural influences. These tools are shown to offer significant time savings and promote financial autonomy, yet their adoption remains uneven depending on education level, digital skills, and familiarity with financial technologies. More experienced users report growing trust through regular use, while others express concerns related to transaction security or perceived complexity.

The study emphasizes that mobile payment can become an effective lever for financial inclusion, provided it is supported by appropriate training, awareness campaigns, and support mechanisms. These results call on policymakers and financial sector stakeholders to design more inclusive policies that address the specific needs of vulnerable women and to strengthen support efforts in underbanked areas.

Classification JEL : D14, G23, J16, O16, O33.

Paper type : Empirical Research