Explore publications.

SMEs play a critical role in employment generation and improving economic growth but continue to be excluded from the financial systems. However, the emergence of financial technologies such as mobile money provides a critical tool to address financial exclusion. As such, this study investigates the impact of mobile money on access to finance by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using a sample of thirteen sub–Saharan African countries, covering the period between 2015 to 2022, the study utilised secondary data and employed panel data regression techniques in estimation. This study demonstrated that mobile money impedes access to financial services at commercial banks by SMEs. To promote financial inclusivity, this study proffers policy advice as it recommends partnering of mobile money providers and traditional financial institutions to develop financial products which are tailor-made to SMEs using mobile money platforms to take advantage of its popularity in the SSA region.

Productive asset creation has been proposed as a potential solution for local economic development. The research study explores the concept of productive asset creation and its impact on local economies. The main objective of the study was to establish the impact of Productive Assets Creation (PAC) in stimulating Local Economic Development in Botswana The research study discusses value creation and value appropriation, highlighting the role of innovation and competition in capturing societal value through productive assets. Local Economic Development provides a multilevel perspective on value creation and capture, emphasizing the role of favourable economic environments within communities. The research study referred to various kinds of literature discussing the importance of productive asset creation as a solution to Local Economic Development. The literature that was used also argued that policy consideration should be made on productive assets to promote business development and improve overall returns to communities. The research utilised qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. Interviews and document analysis were used to interact with relevant participants and gathering relevant data. The findings and recommendations derived from this paper aids in developing productive assets that feeds into local economic development initiatives. By considering the theories and perspectives discussed in the selected references, future researchers, policymakers and practitioners may gain insights into the factors and strategies that contribute to successful economic development at the local level.