OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR DIGITAL FINANCIAL
INCLUSION OF FEMALES IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR THROUGH
MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY: EVIDENCE FROM ZIMBABWE

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR DIGITAL FINANCIAL
INCLUSION OF FEMALES IN THE INFORMAL SECTOR THROUGH
MOBILE PHONE TECHNOLOGY: EVIDENCE FROM ZIMBABWE

GLADYS SIWELA

TAVONGA NJAYA

This desk research confirms that mobile technology has brought transformative power to the
non–banked and under banked population particularly females working in the informal sector in
Zimbabwe. While mobile banking has become a major banking option to avert cash shortages,
the major challenge that still needs to be addressed is that of affordability of mobile phones and
the high cost of data. Affordability has emerged as a prohibitive factor in financial inclusion
despite the extreme convenience, reliability and accessibility that mobile phones provide to the
under banked and non-banked in Zimbabwe. The approach that was used to gather data for this
paper is on-line explanatory desk research as well as review of relevant literature on mobile
technology and mobile banking. The data was analysed qualitatively through thematic analysis.
The study unveiled that opportunities brought by mobile banking to financial inclusion as
recommended by the United Nations though the Sustainable developmental goals (SDG’s),
have brought relief to millions of previously excluded and underserved populations the world
over. Mobile money service providers should also offer ancillary tools such as accounting and
inventory management, in order to assist females in the informal sector to better manage digital
payments

International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, United Kingdom

2021