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Diffusion of Innovations: Mobile Money Utility and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. Insights from Agents and Unbanked Poor End Users

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  • Olayinka David-West

    (Pan-Atlantic University)

  • Oluwasola Oni

    (Pan-Atlantic University)

  • Folajimi Ashiru

    (Coventry University)

Abstract

Despite a rigorous policy drive towards financial inclusion in Nigeria, and although the country has a high tele-density ratio, the vast unbanked largely poor remain excluded from the financial sector. Adopting a mixed method approach of the supplier and consumer sides of mobile money, using documentary analysis, focus groups, interviews, and surveys; this article relies on the diffusion of innovations theoretical framework to explore the utility of mobile money with a view to not only assess its application in the enhancement of financial inclusion, but also better tailor the current applications for these low-income users. We identify 4 factors (lack of customer demand and experimenters, lack of integration in the ecosystem, lack of trust and preference for effective local savings scheme and policy short-termism resulting in mobile money operational unsustainability) that are responsible for non-diffusion of mobile money. Our paper reveals interest dynamics that can advance a more long-term mobile money regulatory policy which takes care of the concerns of the unbanked poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Olayinka David-West & Oluwasola Oni & Folajimi Ashiru, 2022. "Diffusion of Innovations: Mobile Money Utility and Financial Inclusion in Nigeria. Insights from Agents and Unbanked Poor End Users," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 1753-1773, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:infosf:v:24:y:2022:i:6:d:10.1007_s10796-021-10196-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10796-021-10196-8
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