The Effect of Financial Technologies (Fintech) on Financial Inclusion of SMEs: Exploring the Mediating role Digital Financial Literacy and Moderating Effect of Perceived Regulatory Support
| dc.contributor.advisor | Zelalem G/Tsadik (PhD) | |
| dc.contributor.author | Biruk Wubshet | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-08-06T12:04:32Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-08-06T12:04:32Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-01-30 | |
| dc.description.abstract | With an emphasis on the moderating effect of perceived regulatory support (PRS) and the mediating role of digital financial literacy (DFL), this study examines the effects of financial technologies (FinTech) on the financial inclusion of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. Structured questionnaires were used to gather data from 350 manufacturing SMEs in Addis Ababa as part of a quantitative research methodology. To examine the connections among FinTech adoption, financial inclusion, digital financial literacy, and perceived regulatory support, the study uses Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). According to the research, FinTech use greatly improves financial inclusion for SMEs, and the main factors influencing FinTech usage are perceived security, trust, and service quality. A key mediating factor that favorably affects the connection between FinTech adoption and financial inclusion is digital financial literacy. Though statistically significant, perceived regulatory support moderates this connection negatively, indicating that current regulatory frameworks could not adequately support financial inclusion generated by FinTech. The study concludes that harnessing the advantages of FinTech in advancing financial inclusion among SMEs requires raising digital financial literacy and creating a conducive regulatory framework. These findings have important ramifications for financial institutions, FinTech service providers, and politicians that want to improve financial inclusion in emerging nations. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Financial Technologies, Digital Financial literacy, perceived regulatory support | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6103 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | A.A.U | |
| dc.title | The Effect of Financial Technologies (Fintech) on Financial Inclusion of SMEs: Exploring the Mediating role Digital Financial Literacy and Moderating Effect of Perceived Regulatory Support | |
| dc.type | Thesis |