Digital Finance in Africa: Accelerating Foundations for Inclusive and Sustainable Local Innovation

Abstract

Research has shown that the digital finance transformation has a significant impact on supporting multiple SDG goals. These effects are especially profound within geographic areas where traditional banking infrastructure has historically remained under-developed, including Sub-Saharan Africa. Innovations in digital financial technologies create opportunities to connect people, communities, and organizations without traditional banking infrastructure, bypassing physical geographic restrictions through using the internet and mobile networks. In this study, we thus seek to identify existing gaps in support necessary for stakeholders within an African context to engage with developing digital financial tools in an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable manner.