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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.

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 research assesses the levels of digital financial literacy (DFL) and the patterns of Fintech adoption among university students in South Africa. It expands the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework to investigate the impact of demographic factors on DFL as a precursor to Fintech utilisation. A quantitative methodology utilised convenience sampling to distribute 376 questionnaires at two public universities in South Africa. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and multiple linear regression using IBM SPSS version 29.0, with reliability evaluated through Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Findings reveal moderate to high levels of DFL among university students; however, notable knowledge deficiencies exist concerning consumer rights and redress mechanisms. Demographic analysis indicated that gender had no significant impact on DFL levels, whereas income, age, and educational attainment showed significant correlations. Three components of DFL demonstrated positive and significant correlations with university students' intentions to adopt Fintech products and services; however, awareness of digital financial risks did not significantly influence these adoption intentions. The findings enhance the theoretical framework of technology acceptance models in emerging markets and offer empirical evidence regarding DFL's influence on Fintech adoption. This study provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, financial institutions, and educational administrators aiming to improve financial inclusion initiatives and increase Fintech utilisation among university students in South Africa.

This study explores the factors influencing youth entrepreneurs in Tanzania to adopt crowdlending as an alternative source of finance and the challenges they encounter in the process. Using a qualitative case study approach, interviews were conducted with 15 young entrepreneurs who successfully accessed loans through a crowdlending platform. Thematic analysis was conducted through transcription, coding, and theme development processes. The findings indicate that financial necessity and limited access to traditional banking were the primary motivators for adopting crowdlending. However, the study also found that entrepreneurs often have a limited understanding of the crowdfunding process, as many access the platform through intermediaries. Additionally, the study identifies high interest rates and transaction costs imposed by financial intermediaries as major barriers to the perceived benefits of crowdlending. The findings underscore the importance of tailored financial literacy initiatives, user-centred platform design, and policy frameworks to unlock crowdlending’s potential for inclusive youth entrepreneurship in Tanzania. 

This study investigates the role of large language models (LLMs) in retail investors (RIs) decision-making processes from the perspective of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). It explores whether LLMs can replace or change the role of financial experts and whether introducing LLMs may lead to more infromed RIs’ decisions. Qualitative interviews were conducted with experienced RIs (n = 8). Secondary data were gathered from YouTube recordings (n = 44). Thematic analysis and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) methodology was used for data extraction and analysis of the scripts. The findings indicate that while LLMs have the potential to enhance accessibility to expert opinions and provide more informed investment decisions, they are unlikely to replace human experts. RIs show a preference for combining LLM insights with human expertise, recognising the limitations of LLMs in managing complex and nuanced investment information. The study highlights the usefulness of the TPB as a framework for the exploration of the topic. It also introduces a novel research method - advanced data extraction techniques on a vast unstructured dataset.?Results contribute to the understanding of LLMs potential in supporting RIs and confirms the usefulness on the AESTIMA tool for data extraction and analysis. 

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.