A thriving literature exists about the role of financial inclusion in socio-economic development. Nevertheless, the environmental effects of financial inclusion are largely unknown in the literature, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Therefore, this study explores the association between financial inclusion and CO2 emissions utilizing data from 23 sub-Saharan Africa for the period 2004-2019. Based on different estimation methods such as dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), canonical correlation regression (CCR), and an instrumental variable generalized-method of moment (IV-GMM), the results show that financial inclusion is responsible for a substantial increase in CO2 emissions. In addition, financial inclusion moderates economic growth, resulting in higher CO2 emissions. Alternatively, financial inclusion moderates renewable energy use to lower CO2 emissions. The outcomes also verify the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis (EKC). This study proposes uniting financial inclusion and environmental policies as a strategy for reducing CO2 emissions in sub-Saharan Africa.

This research paper evaluates the success of the Financial Inclusion Strategy announced by the Palestinian Monetary Authority (PMA) (2018-2025) in achieving financial inclusion for the visually impaired in Palestine as a poor and marginalized group within the strategy\'s purview. Although the promotion of financial inclusion is widely acknowledged as a crucial means to achieve economic development objectives, there remains a gap in national research concerning the willingness of banks in Palestine to develop their services to cover individuals with visual disabilities. This research aims to explain the reasons behind the financial exclusion of this group and highlight the areas where support is needed to overcome these reasons. A free discussion was conducted with representatives of all banks operating in Palestine to conclude their satisfaction regarding the financial inclusion of visually impaired individuals and to gain insight into their perspectives on the challenges they face for this inclusion. The collected data were systematically tabulated. Similar responses were consolidated under each question, and discrepancies between the symbols were emphasized. The commonalities and variances in respondents\' answers were scrutinized, categorized, and juxtaposed with findings from analogous research conducted in other jurisdictions. The research revealed that insufficient financial knowledge, a lack of adaptive technologies, communication barriers, and elevated rates of poverty and unemployment account for the hesitancy of commercial banks to extend financial services to individuals with disabilities. The research concluded that commercial banks are not interested in attracting this group, so the Monetary Authority is recommended to legislate a checklist of specific obligations that consider these challenges for banks operating in Palestine to ensure financial inclusion for this group.

This paper estimates the impact of access to mobile money services on local economic activity. The analysis combines data from the early expansion of the mobile agent network in Kenya with a local-level measure of economic performance proxied by the intensity of nighttime lights. Leveraging the variation in areas that gained access to mobile money services at different times and the high resolution of the data, the paper shows that access to mobile money services increased local economic activity and that these effects increased over time. The positive effects are more pronounced for areas that were initially more affluent, urban, and better connected to infrastructure. These results suggest that mobile money can complement, rather than just substitute for, other alternatives that enable people to connect, trade, and allocate investments within their networks.

Using data from the 1979 and 1997 National Longitudinal Surveys of Youth (NLSY), this study investigates the relationship between criminal justice system contact history, particularly incarceration, and being excluded from the financial system. Individual fixed effects estimates show that people who have been incarcerated have a lower likelihood of having a checking or savings account after incarceration. While this association could be due to justice-involved individuals avoiding formal systems like financial services, there is no evidence of a relationship between arrest history and being unbanked. Even adjusted for age and other factors, formerly incarcerated people are more likely to be unbanked in the years after release than before being incarcerated. This study offers further evidence on the challenges facing formerly incarcerated individuals, as well as for banking and financial services regulators seeking to expand financial inclusion efforts in the U.S.

Batik, an Indonesian textile art form, holds immense economic and cultural importance. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) specialising in batik play a crucial role in Indonesia\'s economic growth and cultural preservation, contributing significantly to the gross domestic product (GDP) and preserving the nation\'s heritage. Nevertheless, these enterprises face several challenges, such as slow growth and limited access to credit. The batik industry also lags in financial literacy and the adoption of digital marketing strategies, hindering its development. This quantitative study aims to investigate the relationship between financial literacy, digital financial literacy, and financial inclusion in batik SMEs and also examined the moderating effect of online social networks. A survey was conducted involving 535 managers, owners, and financial officers of small batik enterprises. Subsequently, the SmartPLS statistical analysis method was employed for data analysis. The results demonstrate that financial literacy and digital financial literacy play a significant role in accessing financial inclusion for batik small enterprises. Moreover, the utilisation of social media was found to moderate these relationships, amplifying the impact of financial and digital literacy on financial inclusion. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge, provide insights for enhancing batik small enterprises, and propose a digital financial model to promote financial inclusion.

To attain sustainable development, a pertinent question that needs to be answered is whether good governance leads to financial inclusion (FI) and whether bank stability matters. This study examines how financial stability modulates the link between governance and FI in the Nordic-Baltic region between 2004 and 2021. Using a mixed effect model, we observed a positive causal relationship between governance and FI and bank stability modulate this causality. These findings are robust to alternative assumptions and model specifications. Interestingly, we found that good governance helps foster economic growth and social equality. The study further highlights the need for digital financial education to overcome the phobia of digital products as a priority policy agenda. Overall, this finding supports arguments in the literature that for FI to be sustainable, inequality should be low as income levels and well-being increase.

This study utilizes cross-country data from 2002 to 2019 from 60 selected developing countries to explore the impact of competition and financial inclusion on financial stability. Employing the system GMM estimator, compelling evidence is revealed, highlighting a number of key findings. Firstly, it is observed that financial inclusion has a weakening effect on financial stability within developing countries. Conversely, competition among these nations demonstrates a significant capacity to bolster financial stability. Additionally, the study underscores the pivotal role of financial development, identifying it as a primary driver that enables financial inclusion to positively influence financial stability within developing nations. Furthermore, the introduction of the square term of financial inclusion yields noteworthy insights, revealing a nonlinear relationship. Specifically, the findings suggest that strategic investments in the financial inclusion of developing countries have the potential to enhance financial stability up to a certain threshold. Therefore, for emerging economies seeking to fortify their financial stability, prioritizing efforts to augment financial inclusion is imperative. Over the long term, such endeavors have the potential to yield tangible improvements in financial stability. In conclusion, the research offers valuable policy implications. These include recommendations aimed at fostering greater financial inclusion within developing economies as a means of bolstering overall financial stability. By heeding these suggestions and implementing targeted policies, policymakers can work towards cultivating a more resilient and robust financial landscape within their respective nations.

In this paper, we examine the Moderating Role of Governance on the Relationships between social inclusion (SI), Information and communication technology infrastructure (ICT), and financial inclusion (FI) in 46 countries representing a global sample span from 2010 to 2020. We collect the data from the IMF\'s financial access survey and construct a multidimensional FI index. Based on the FI index, we divide the sample into two sub-samples (med-high level and low-level FI countries). For the empirics, we employed panel-corrected standard errors, fully modified ordinary least squares and dynamic ordinary least squares techniques. We find that SI is negatively related to FI. ICT infrastructure positively influences FI. Further, we find that governance with sound ICT infrastructure and socially inclusive communities enhances FI. The findings of sub-samples are similar to the full sample results except for a promoting effect of SI and governance in the case of med-high financially inclusive economies. Moreover, the Interaction term of governance and ICT infrastructure is insignificant in med-high financially inclusive economies and negatively significant in low financially inclusive economies. Our study reports novel findings which have significant implications for policymakers and financial institutions to effectively develop and implement new policies which strengthen the institutional base, develop digital banking infrastructure, enhance SI to boost up FI and ensure sustainable economic growth.

Nigeria grapples with a formidable public health concern, as approximately 14 million individuals partake in illicit drug use (IDU). This predicament significantly impacts psychiatric disorders, suicides, disability, and mortality rates. Despite previous investigations into predictors and remedies, the role of financial inclusion (FI) remains inadequately explored. Leveraging existing literature on FI and population health, this study asserts that bolstering FI could be instrumental in mitigating IDU prevalence in Nigeria. We employ spatial analysis to scrutinize the influence of FI and other social factors on IDU, revealing a 14.4 % national prevalence with spatial variations ranging from 7 % in Jigawa state to 33 % in Lagos state. Significant IDU hotspots were identified in the southwest states, while cold spots were observed in the Federal Capital Territory and Nassarawa. Multivariate spatial analysis indicates that FI, income, unemployment, and the proportion of the young population are pivotal predictors of IDU nationwide, explaining approximately 67 % of the spatial variance. Given these findings, the study advocates heightened levels of FI and underscores the need for intensified government initiatives to prevent and address illicit drug use.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology (FinTech), big data stands as a cornerstone, driving significant transformations. This study delves into the pivotal role of big data in FinTech and its implications for financial inclusion. Employing a comprehensive literature review methodology, we analyze diverse sources including academic journals, industry reports, and online articles. Our findings illuminate how big data catalyzes the development of novel financial products and services, enhances risk management, and boosts operational efficiency, thereby fostering financial inclusion. Particularly, big data\'s capability to offer insightful customer behavior analytics is highlighted as a key driver for creating inclusive financial services. However, challenges such as data privacy and security, and the need for ethical algorithmic practices are also identified. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, regulators, and industry practitioners, suggesting a need for balanced regulatory frameworks to harness big data\'s potential ethically and responsibly. The outcomes of this study underscore the transformative power of big data in FinTech, indicating a pathway toward a more inclusive financial ecosystem.