Financial inclusion in Nigeria has had undeniable successes, with the onboarding of residents to the banking sector consistently progressing. But the overall exclusion rates continue to exceed official targets, not least due to low financial literacy. Going forward, Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy should more systematically leverage rapidly developing digital instruments. Uptake of digital financial services, notably mobile money, is still lower than in peer countries, and overcoming this would require improving digital financial literacy, upgrading digital infrastructure, and promoting incubation and sound practices of fintech firms. Nigeria’s CBDC also has an enabling potential if accompanied by a comprehensive package of supportive policies.

Nigeria: Selected Issues

This book presents a holistic picture of Nigeria's financial services landscape. This includes identifying service providers and regulatory bodies, understanding consumer behaviour, and examining the unique challenges faced by Nigerian financial institutions. The book presents up-to-date research on recent developments and regulatory changes within Nigeria's financial sector, as well as future considerations for how financial services and financial inclusion can play a crucial role in the country's sustainable economic growth. Combining academic analysis with practical insights, the book takes readers through Nigeria's key financial services providers, regulators, consumers, marketing strategies and challenges. A core focus throughout is on financial inclusion and the opportunities associated with reaching financially underserved or excluded populations, demonstrating how increasing financial access at a country-wide level aligns with global goals of reducing inequalities and promoting growth. It will have interdisciplinary appeal to scholars, students and professionals working in finance, economics, business, public policy and development studies.

This book explores the various considerations for achieving an effective regulatory strategy to improve financial access and usage in Nigeria and beyond. Gaps in the legal and institutional framework for digital financial services (DFS) as well as the barriers that contribute to financial exclusion are identified as are the policy changes needed to provide more extensive, accessible and sustainable financial inclusion value. In addition, the book covers divergent themes around the use of and insights for regulating industry financial services providers and challenger entities that herald industry disruption. The book adopts three research methods. The doctrinal research method is used to buttress the law and development analysis and the themes around regulation, adoption and usage of financial services. To elucidate the application of financial innovations, comparative case studies are drawn from selected jurisdictions including Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, The Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, Uganda, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Lastly, using the empirical research method, the author reports the burden experienced by the residents of a community without banks in accessing finance. Included in this discussion are the barriers to finance as well as the coping strategies adopted by the community residents to access formal and informal finance.

This book comprehensively analyses financial technology law and regulation in Africa and provides domestic and regional perspectives on regulating FinTech in Africa. It studies policy considerations that can assist African policymakers in facilitating a balanced regulatory approach that does not stifle financial innovation. The growth of financial technology in Africa presents huge opportunities for inclusive growth on the African continent. Digital finance, which sits at the heart of financial technology, could be key to placing Africa back on the economic recovery trajectory after the COVID-19 crisis, facilitating its speed in achieving the UNSDG 2030 goals and setting the continent on course to meet its African Union Agenda 2063. This book: - Examines mobile financial services, crowdfunding, crypto-assets, digital currencies including central bank digital currencies, decentralised finance and open banking and finance, all from an African perspective; - Explores the status of regulation in these areas in Africa, highlighting areas where regulation is lacking, inadequate and in need of reform; - Highlights pragmatic approaches to regulation such as including the adoption of regulatory sandboxes and regulatory technology and discusses requirements for the adoption of supervisory technology in Africa; - Scrutinises the implications of developments in the FinTech space in Africa for international security and economic and financial stability. Placing Africa in the global context, the book argues for an international effort to understand the global dimensions of FinTech developments so that robust and applicable global regulatory frameworks can be applied in developing parts of the world. It will provide useful insights to investors, policy makers and entrepreneurs. It will also be essential reading for students and researchers in the field of technology, public policy, regulatory policy, financial policy, banking, and finance law.

Financial inclusion has proven to be a looming issue challenging policymakers and scholars. Financial inclusion revolves around the fundamental notion of ensuring that individuals from all walks of life have access to affordable and effective financial products and services that cater to their unique needs. Yet, as we grapple with this issue, we find it entwined with other critical factors such as religious and cultural norms, technological advancements, and sustainability goals. The intricate web of these elements forms a complex tapestry that requires deep exploration and understanding. Financial Inclusion, Sustainability, and the Influence of Religion and Technology is a groundbreaking book which delves headfirst into the multifaceted issue of the inclusivity of financial services and the complexities of societal interplay in this matter. Targeting academic scholars as its primary audience, this book acts as a guide to solution development. It meticulously unravels the intricate connections between financial inclusion, sustainability, religion, and technology. Readers will embark on a journey that not only dissects the problem but also illuminates the path forward. From exploring the complex relationship between financial inclusion and sustainability to identifying the challenges and opportunities presented by religion and technology, this book leaves no stone unturned. It offers a comprehensive roadmap for future research and action, providing a beacon of hope for achieving a more equitable and technologically advanced future.

This cutting-edge Handbook argues for social protection to be situated in a wider system of social welfare and development programmes for low- and middle-income countries. Focusing on the role of citizens and communities in enhancing human development, it explores how welfare systems are unfolding in diverse contexts across the global South.

This book investigates how women in Africa are being impacted by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which describes the twenty-first-century proliferation of mobile internet, machine learning and artificial intelligence. The move towards digitalization brings fundamental changes in the way people work, live and generally relate to each other. However, in many areas of Africa, women face digital inclusion challenges, and their lack of access to the internet limits their social, political and economic participation in globalization. This book considers the different policy approaches taken in African countries, and their preparedness for enabling women’s participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, across a range of sectors.By diiscussing key topics such as artificial intelligence, technological adaptation, drones, entrepreneurship, education and financial inclusion, the book identifies positive policy approaches to ensure equitable progress towards the fourth industrial revolution at all structural levels. Making a powerful case for the benefits of inclusive digital innovation, this book will be of interest to researchers of women and technology in Africa.

Fintech Law and Practice in Nigeria provides a comprehensive exploration of the rapidly evolving fintech landscape in Nigeria. Written by Davidson Oturu, this book offers an in-depth analysis of the legal, regulatory, and operational frameworks that govern fintech businesses in one of Africa’s largest economies. From payment systems to cryptocurrency, mobile banking, and digital lending, this book covers key aspects of the Nigerian fintech ecosystem. It delves into the various laws, guidelines, and regulations shaping the industry, offering practical insights for fintech founders, legal practitioners, regulators, and investors. Whether you are navigating the complexities of licensing requirements, compliance obligations, or investor agreements, this book provides clarity and actionable advice. In addition to covering local regulatory practices, Fintech Law and Practice in Nigeria highlights the global trends impacting the Nigerian fintech space, drawing comparisons with international markets. The book is an essential guide for anyone seeking to understand or engage with the legal side of financial technology in Nigeria, and a must-read for professionals looking to stay ahead in this fast-paced sector.