Mobile money, financial inclusion and livelihoods of agents in Zambia.
| dc.contributor.author | Kabala, Edna | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-02-15T13:30:40Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-02-15T13:30:40Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2023 | |
| dc.description | Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Mobile money is widely renowned for its positive contribution to financial inclusion and improvements in welfare of users. Yet, little is known about how mobile money contributes to financial inclusion and improved livelihoods of mobile money agents as individual users and key players in financial inclusion processes in Zambia. The study is founded on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and adopts an eclectic or mixed methods approach to investigating the link between mobile money, financial inclusion and livelihoods in Zambia. A cross section survey and exploratory research design was used with a focus on 97 agents that were sampled through a multi-stage mixed sampling procedure from Kitwe and Kalulushi. The study employed primary data collected through structured questionnaires and secondary data sourced from the Bank of Zambia and Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority. Descriptive statistical analysis in the study availed the presentation of results in tables and graphs coupled with explanation to amplify understanding. Logistic regression analysis was performed to explain the determinants of mobile money adoption among agents in Kitwe and Kalulushi. Ethnographic content analysis was used to explain how mobile money affects the indicators of livelihoods of agents such as quality of water, shelter, food, education, health and acquisition of assets. A major finding is that mobile money contributes to financial inclusion of agents. The adoption of personal mobile money accounts, is significantly determined by education level, number of years agents have been in business, perceived usefulness of mobile money technology and perceived ease of use of personal mobile money accounts. The results in the study also indicate that mobile money plays a critical role in boosting savings and improving the livelihoods of agents. The findings in the study also confirm that mobile money is the most affordable payments system in Zambia and would be useful for serving the financial inclusion needs of low-income earners and poor people. Based on the results, the study recommends that mobile money agents should be given tax and income incentives to offer inclusive financial services in rural parts of Zambia where the poorest and most vulnerable people reside. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/8401 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | The University of Zambia | |
| dc.title | Mobile money, financial inclusion and livelihoods of agents in Zambia. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |