The Use of Digital Finance by Small and Medium Enterprises in the Ethekwini Metropolitan Area
Zanele Priscilla Ngcobo ORCID ↗ · Lawrence Mpele Lekhanya
International Journal of Business Ecosystem & Strategy · 2026 · Vol. 8 / Issue 4 · 01-11
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Abstract
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.
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Zanele Priscilla Ngcobo
Durban University of Technology
Lawrence Mpele Lekhanya
Durban University of Technology
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