Explore the evidence.
Understand the reach.

In this paper, we investigate the definition of Fintech and measure the extent of the impact of Fintech variables on the Cybersecurity as the dependent variable. The hypotheses developed by the authors which are based on research through the statistical results of the research variables and as all correlation coefficients were a positive relationship and at the level of significance 0.01 which made the authors accept the correlation hypotheses, and for the results of the influence factor between the research variables it also had a positive effect when the level of 0.05 for all sections of the independent variable, as we have also noticed that the influence of the independent variable of financial technology when linked to all of its sections with Cybersecurity. We find the influence of the influence coefficient significantly increased to 0.908, which explains that there is a complementarity between the sections of the independent variable.

The purpose of this review is to shed light on the current state of crowdfunding and its possible effects on African communities. The goal of this article is to give a narrative overview of how crowdfunding has evolved, along with trends, challenges, and potential effects on African communities. Despite recent advancements in the usage of mobile technology on the continent, the growth of crowdfunding based on internet platforms has been quite gradual. According to research, the success of crowdsourcing initiatives in Africa depends on a hybrid strategy that involves the "offline" network of backers. The majority of research concluded that the biggest barriers to the growth of crowdfunding in Africa were a lack of knowledge and trust in public institutions, lax laws protecting the rights of backers and ensuring transparency, as well as technology (internet connection). Also mentioned was the possibility that significant cultural aspects of offline crowdfunding, if taken into consideration, would make it easier for African business owners to adopt the practice. It has lagged behind other continents in the use of crowdfunding to raise money for small businesses or individuals, which could also help with financial inclusion in Africa, either directly for individuals or by sponsoring small enterprises. It is necessary to have a regulatory framework that promotes technological advancement while also reducing crime and fraud. Additionally, establishing platforms based on continents and creating synergies with existing financial actors would raise awareness, boost confidence, and whet interest in using them.

 The purpose of this exploratory study has been to provide insight into the success factors of ECF campaigns and, in particular, explore the role of trust. In specific, the research questions for this study are: (1) What dimensions of ECF success have been studied so far, and (2) is there any established literature on sustainability, blockchain technology and trust in the realm of ECF.  To that end, a systematic literature review is conducted by investigating ISI Web of Science and Scopus, two major academic databases, through relevant keyword combinations. The theoretical framework relies on signaling, legitimacy and stakeholder theories. Findings indicate that the role of trust is an emerging theme, and sustainability and BT in relation to trust, to the best of the author’s knowledge, is not yet focused upon in crowdfunding research. This study contributes to the literature of crowdfunding and entrepreneurship.

This study aims to understand how Knowledge Brokers can drive digital transformation in SMEs through the process of sharing and disseminating knowledge, thereby increasing digital literacy in their business processes. This study used a multiple case study design with qualitative analysis to examine the data obtained from interviews, observation, and field visits to achieve the objective. The findings highlight that Santara acts as a Knowledge Broker and as a source of knowledge that gives rise to a digital transformation process that can increase digital literacy for SMEs. Research on knowledge sharing and digital transformation has focused on SMEs. The qualitative case study method allows us to carry out an in-depth analysis of a case but it has limited generalizability. To overcome this limitation, further research is expected to use a survey covering various industries to test the theoretical proposals that have been generated from this study, so that they can be generalized.    

Worldwide, Small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) exhibit inimitable financial needs. While SMEs remain fundamental to economic growth, their mortality rate in Kenya approaches 90% by the second year, mainly owing to lack of credit. However, scholarly endeavors exploring the impact of alternative finance (AF) on managerial competency - efficiency nexus for manufacturing SMEs have received little attention in Kenya. To resolve this conundrum, a thorough study to investigate how AF impacts managerial competency - efficiency nexus is necessary. The study used a cross-sectional research design, employing both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The target population was 171 SMEs registered with Kenya Association of Manufacturers. The accessible population was 136 SMEs owners/managers. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect primary and secondary data. Data envelopment analysis was used to measure efficiency, multiple regression modeling used to analyze the direct relationships while hierarchical moderated multiple regression analysis employed to test moderation. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling was used to test robustness of our results. The findings of this study demonstrate that managerial competency positively influences efficiency (? = 0.150, t-value =10.246, P<0.05), and that alternative finance does moderate managerial competency relationships with efficiency (R-Square change of 21.7%). We suggest trainings for manufacturing SME owners/managers in Kenya on the pivotal role of alternative finance to facilitate SMEs achieve higher efficiencies and accelerate economic growth.

This paper examines the emergence and strategic evolution of InnBucks MicroBank Limited, a Zimbabwean Microfinance organisation that evolved from a restaurant-change management digital wallet into a licensed deposit-taking microfinance bank serving around 3 million users within 4 years. Operating in what is arguably one of the most extreme VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environments globally, characterised by currency failures, chronic hyperinflation, regulatory unpredictability, and severe infrastructure deficits, InnBucks offers a compelling case for exploring how organisations emerge, adapt, and scale amid genuine chaos.  The analysis incorporates five theoretical frameworks: Chaos Theory, Entrepreneurial Orientation Theory, Disruptive Innovation and Frugal Innovation, the Viable System Model, and Strategic Decision-Making Theory. These are utilised to explain InnBucks' institutional pivots, its evolution to a registered deposit taking microfinance, its utilisation of Simbisa Brands' restaurant network as financial infrastructure, and its recent shift to cloud-native banking through the Mambu/AWS partnership. The paper proposes the ARISE (Agility, Resilience, Innovation, Systemic, Entrepreneurial) conceptual framework, which combines five theoretical perspectives into a practical model to steer strategic emergence in resource-limited, institutionally fragile environments. It concludes that InnBucks' trajectory challenges traditional assumptions about the prerequisites for financial innovation and provides transferable insights for emerging organisations operating within Sub-Saharan Africa's growing fintech ecosystem.

This study aims to identify the factors that influence the use of digital finance by SMEs. The study is mixed method in nature where literature review was used as a source of information in identifying variables to be tested in the questionnaire. Data was collected from different parts of the eThekwini metropolitan area. The sample consisted of 400 SMEs owners/managers who are operating in Inanda, KwaMashu and uMlazi. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used, and data was collected through a 5-point Likert scale closed-ended questionnaire. The analysis was conducted using SPSS (Version 29.0). The main findings of this study were 87 percent indicated financial support as the challenge for the use of digital finance by their businesses. While in the qualitative response, the majority indicated that government policies are lacking in regards to the use of digital finance in these industries. It has to be noted that this study is confined in the eThekwini Metropolitan areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Therefore, the generalisation of these results needs to be made with care.

After digital technology started spreading around economies, the hypothesis emerged that smaller but very digitally inclined firms would disrupt existing profitability levels by challenging incumbents’ market power. In this context, the banking sector would be no exception. By testing this hypothesis through a fixed effects model considering quarterly data from 2011 to 2022 for Brazilian banks, we found that from 2016 on there was a change in the behavior of intermediation revenues associated with increased competition in the sector, especially due to the performance of fintechs and digital banks. On the other hand, we observed a reversal of the slope of fee revenues, which became positive, indicating an attempt to compensate for the drop in intermediation revenues, notably an unwanted side effect. The study recommends that policymakers should watch for possible substitution effects while designing banking regulations.

This study evaluates Sub-Saharan African bitcoin governance models using regulatory sandboxes. 180 relevant studies were synthesised using PRISMA (2021–2025). The discovery, screening, eligibility, and inclusion phases of the research identified noteworthy trends and findings. Analysing study findings into prominent patterns and key themes deepens this investigation. Sandboxes in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana provide controlled testing of blockchain ideas but suffer regulatory fragmentation, algorithmic prejudice, and monopolistic behaviour. Governance hurdles and diffusion dynamics are examined using TOE and DOI frameworks. It presents inclusive, adaptive, and internationally aligned sandbox governance rules. The article offers evidence-based ways to balance innovation, financial stability, and consumer protection to inform legislation.

In South Africa, only 6% of the population is expected to retire with financial independence, and the implementation of the Two-Pot retirement system in September 2024 exacerbates the retirement savings dilemma, underscoring an urgent necessity for creative retirement planning solutions. This article thoroughly delineates the present status of research into the utilisation of Robo-advisors in retirement planning. This analysis evaluates the appropriateness and feasibility of employing Robo-advisors to enhance and democratise digital financial advice within the context of a developing economy like South Africa, particularly through the adoption of the Two-Pot retirement scheme. A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted utilising the Emerald Insight, ProQuest, and Scopus databases to find peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2019 and 2024. These articles critically assessed the function of Robo-advisors in democratising financial advice, providing a cost-efficient, accessible, and perhaps less biassed alternative to conventional advising services. The study highlights the imperative for future research to guarantee the ethical, transparent, and controlled implementation of robo-advisory services in South Africa. The literature analysis delineates five pertinent study themes: emerging literature on Robo-advisors, behavioural dimensions, risk assessment, regulatory frameworks, and Robo-advisor characteristics pertinent to the South African retirement context, considering the Two-Pot retirement system.The report delineates potential research opportunities for each highlighted issue to aid scholars in performing empirical investigations aimed at optimising retirement planning in South Africa through the use of Robo-advisors.