Effect of Financial Technology on Financial Inclusion of Small and Medium Enterprises in Lapai, Niger State.
Abstract
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria face major challenges in accessing financial services, especially in semi-urban areas like Lapai, Niger State, where reliance on traditional systems limits financial inclusion. This study was conducted to examine the effect of financial technology on the financial inclusion of SMEs in Lapai, with specific objectives of assessing the impact of Point of Sales (POS), neo-banking, and mobile money on SMEs’ financial inclusion. The study adopted a survey research design, with a sample size of 123 SMEs determined using Taro Yamane’s formula from a population of 178. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Findings reveal that neo-banking and mobile money significantly enhance financial inclusion, while POS showed no significant effect. The study therefore recommends that financial institutions should increase the deployment of POS terminals in rural communities to improve access, while SMEs should adopt neo-banking and mobile money services for safer, faster, and more convenient transactions that enhance financial participation.