Digital financial services and rural market access in Northwestern Nigeria: evaluating the economic impacts of fintech inclusion
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JSRD.4.3.47-53Keywords:
Fintech, Rural economy, Financial inclusion, Market access, Northwestern NigeriaAbstract
This study examines the economic effects of digital financial services on rural market accessibility in Northwestern Nigeria. As mobile banking, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and other fintech solutions grow, rural areas are becoming more connected to the formal financial system. The research uses secondary data from the Central Bank of Nigeria, EFInA, and the National Bureau of Statistics to look at developments in trade, credit availability, and financial inclusion in rural parts of states including Kano, Sokoto, and Kebbi. The results show that fintech has improved local trade and made it easier for people to get money, yet problems like bad digital infrastructure and low digital literacy still exist. The paper provides policy suggestions to enhance fintech accessibility and optimise its economic advantages for rural communities.
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