Browsing by Author "Elvie Kasoki Kyana"

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    Digital Financial Services (DFS) and Financial Inclusion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda
    (Uganda Christian University, 2025-09-18) Elvie Kasoki Kyana
    The present study investigated the effects of Digital Financial Services (DFS) on the financial inclusion of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Mukono Municipality of Uganda. The study was interested in mobile money, digital lending, agency banking, and online banking effects on SME access to credit, effectiveness of transactions, savings, and credit. Descriptive research design that employs qualitative and quantitative approaches was employed. Questionnaires were utilized to gather data and SPSS was utilized to analyze data with the help of descriptive and inferential statistics to examine the connection between DFS adoption and financial inclusion. Findings indicated that mobile money significantly enhanced financial inclusion through enhanced access, transaction simplicity, and enhanced money management. Agency banking and digital lending also enhanced financial inclusion through source of funds, reduction in cost of transaction, and enhancing access to financial services. Convenience and money management were offered by online banking with low take-up because of security concerns but moderate frequency of use. Demographical traits like age, education, and experience in business were found to influence the adoption and usage of DFS. The study concluded that DFS plays an important role in promoting financial inclusion of SMEs in Mukono Municipality. Some of the proposed recommendations are enhancing security for online banking, adopting digital financial literacy initiatives, increasing agency banking reach, and promoting affordable digital credit. The study also proposed additional research on comparative impacts of DFS platforms, longitudinal impacts of DFS on SME financial inclusion, and the impact of digital literacy on DFS adoption.