Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

The Impact of Mobile and Payment Card Technology on Economic Growth and Development in Developing Countries, Using M-Pesa as A Case Study

Anazia Chris N, Nwachukwu, Chuka C

Abstract

The proliferation of mobile and payment card technologies has revolutionized financial inclusion in developing countries, significantly contributing to economic growth and socio-economic development. M-Pesa, Kenya's pioneering mobile money platform, has significantly transformed the country's financial medium ecosystem by improving financial inclusion, enhancing the capabilities of small and -sized enterprises (SMEs), and promoting a cashless economy. This research paper investigates the role of mobile financial services, with a focus on M-Pesa in Kenya, as a transformative agent in emerging economies. The study explores how mobile money platforms have bridged the financial divide by providing unbanked and underbanked populations with accessible, secure, and low-cost financial services. M-Pesa has facilitated savings, remittances, credit access, and business transactions, contributing to poverty reduction, job creation, and increased resilience among low-income households. Using mixed-methods analysis that incorporates macroeconomic indicators, user-level data, and comparative country analyses, this paper highlights how mobile payment ecosystems stimulate entrepreneurship, enhance consumption, and foster financial literacy. Additionally, the paper examines regulatory frameworks, cybersecurity challenges, and the role of public-private partnerships in scaling these innovations. The findings underscore the potential of mobile and card-based technologies to serve as catalysts for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development across Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions. This research supports the broader policy implication that digital financial infrastructure is a cornerstone for resilient economic systems in the 21st century. This study explores the economic impact, success factors, and challenges of M-Pesa, while identifying lessons for other developing countries. Using mixed research methods, including literature rev

Keywords

Mobile moneyM-Pesafinancial inclusioneconomic growthdeveloping countries

References

Central Bank of Kenya. (2023). Financial Access Report: The Role of Mobile Money in Kenya’s Economy. Nairobi: CBK. Jack, W., & Suri, T. (2016). The long-run poverty and gender impacts of mobile money. Science, 354(6317), 1288-1292. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aah5309 Porteous, D. (2007). Just how transformational is M-Pesa? Financial Sector Deepening Kenya. Mas, I., & Radcliffe, D. (2010). Mobile payments go viral: M-Pesa in Kenya. Journal of Financial Transformation, 32, 169-182. GSMA. (2023). State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2023. London: GSM Association. Ondiege, P. (2015). Regulatory impact on mobile money and financial inclusion in Africa: Kenya’s M-Pesa success story. African Development Bank Working Paper. Central Bank of Kenya. (2023). Financial access report: The role of mobile money in Kenya’s economy. https://www.centralbank.go.ke Safaricom PLC. (2023). Annual financial report 2023. https://www.safaricom.co.ke World Bank. (2022). The Global Findex database: Financial inclusion, digital payments, and resilience. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex Jack, W., & Suri, T. (2014). Risk Sharing and Transactions Costs: Evidence from Kenya’s Mobile Money Revolution. American Economic Review, 104(1), 183–223. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.104.1.183 Chen, G., & Mazer, R. (2016). Regulation and Innovation: The Case of M-Pesa. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 24(2), 172-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRC-12- 2015-0077 Donovan, K. (2012). Mobile Money for Financial Inclusion. Information and Communication for Development, 61-73. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8813-8 Kikulwe, E. M., Fischer, E., & Qaim, M. (2014). Mobile Money, Smallholder Farmers, and Household Welfare in Kenya. PLoS ONE, 9(10), e109804. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109804 Ndung’u, N., & Signé, L. (2018). The Fintech Revolution in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/research/the-fintech-revolution-in- africa/ Donovan, K. (2012). Mobile money for financial inclusion. In Information and Communications for Development 2012: Maximizing Mobile (pp. 61-73). World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8991-3 Hughes, N., & Lonie, S. (2007). M-PESA: Mobile money for the “unbanked” turning cellphones into 24-hour tellers in Kenya. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, 2(1– 2), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1162/itgg.2007.2.1-2.63 GSMA. (2021). State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2021. https://www.gsma.com/sotir/ Hughes, N., & Lonie, S. (2007). M-PESA: Mobile money for the “unbanked” turning cellphones into 24-hour tellers in Kenya. Innovations: Technology, Governance, Globalization, 2(1- 2), 63–81. https://doi.org/10.1162/itgg.2007.2.1-2.63 Jack, W., & Suri, T. (2011). Mobile money: The economics of M-Pesa. NBER Working Paper No. https://doi.org/10.3386/w16721 Mas, I., & Radcliffe, D. (2011). Mobile payments go viral: M-PESA in Kenya. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. https://www.gsma.com/mobilefordevelopment/wp- content/uploads/2012/03/mpesa_case_study.pdf Aker, J. C., & Mbiti, I. M. (2010). Mobile phones and economic development in Africa. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 24(3), 207–232. https://doi.org/10.1257/jep.24.3.207 Aron, J. (2018). Mobile money and the economy: A review of the evidence. The World Bank Research Observer, 33(2), 135–188. https://doi.org/10.1093/wbro/lky001 Mas, I., & Radcliffe, D. (2011). Mobile payments go viral: M-PESA in Kenya. Capco Institute Journal of Financial Transformation, 32, 169–182. Suri, T. (2017). Mobile money. Annual Review of Economics, 9, 497–520. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-economics-063016-103638 World Bank. (2014). Global Financial Development Report 2014: Financial Inclusion. Washington, DC: World Bank. Beck, T., Pamuk, H., Ramrattan, R., & Uras, B. R. (2018). Payment instruments, finance and development. Journal of Development Economics, 133, 162–186. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2018.02.002 Cook, T., & McKay, C. (2015). How M-Shwari works: The story so far. CGAP. Retrieved from https://www.cgap.org/research/publication/how-m-shwari-works-story-so-far GSMA. (2022). State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money 2022. Retrieved from https://www.gsma.com/mobilemoneymetrics/ AFI (Alliance for Financial Inclusion). (2010). Enabling mobile money transfer: The Central Bank of Kenya’s treatment of M-Pesa. Retrieved from https://www.afi-global.org Donovan, K. P. (2012). Mobile money for financial inclusion. In T. Kelly & C. Rossotto (Eds.), Information and communications for development 2012: Maximizing mobile (pp. 61–73). World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-0-8213-8991-1 Mas, I., & Radcliffe, D. (2011). Mobile payments go viral: M-PESA in Kenya. Capco Institute Journal of Financial Transformation, 32, 169–182. Demirguc-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., & Ansar, S. (2022). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial inclusion, digital payments, and resilience in the age of COVID-19. World Bank Group Van Hove, L., & Dubus, A. (2019). M-PESA and financial inclusion in Kenya: Of paying comes saving? Sustainability, 11(3), 568. Available here. Anoman, I. (2023). Breaking down barriers: How fintech powers financial inclusion in Kenya. PACT. Available here. Owoche, P. (2025). The M-Pesa effect: How mobile money is transforming financial inclusion in Africa. Success Afrika. Available here. Frankel, N. (2025). Kenya’s payments evolution: What banks and fintechs can learn from M-Pesa and mobile operators. Africa Business. Available here. Safaricom PLC. (2022). Results Booklet H1 FY22. Safaricom Investor Relations. Safaricom PLC. (2023). FY23 Results Booklet. Safaricom Investor Relations. Safaricom PLC. (2024, May 9). FY24 Results Booklet. Safaricom Investor Relations. Safaricom PLC. (2012). Annual Report FY2012. Safaricom plc. Safaricom PLC. (2017). Annual Report FY2017. Safaricom plc. World Bank. (2010). Mobile Payments go Viral: M-PESA in Kenya. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). M-Pesa. In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 2025. Gikunda, R. M., Odilla, G., & Njeru, S. G. (2014). Socio-economic effects of M-pesa adoption on livelihoods in Bureti Sub-County, Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 4(12), 348–359. DOI:10.6007/IJARBSS/v4-i12/1369 Mbiti, I., & Weil, D. N. (2011). Mobile banking: The impact of M-Pesa in Kenya (NBER Working Paper No. 17129). Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research. Fabregas, R., & Yokossi, T. (2022). Mobile money and economic activity: Evidence from Kenya. The World Bank Economic Review, 36(3), 734–756. Morawczynski, O. (2009). Exploring the usage and impact of transformational m-banking: The case of M-PESA in Kenya. Journal of East African Studies, 3(3), 509–525. Wachira, G., & Njuguna, A. (2023). Enhancing growth and productivity through mobile money financial technology services: The case of M-Pesa in Kenya. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 15(12), Article 91. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijef.v15n12p91 Keywords: Mobile money, M-Pesa, financial inclusion, economic growth, developing countries, digital payments, mobile technology ROSCA (Rotating Savings and Credit Association) is a group-based financial system where members contribute a fixed amount of money into a common pool at regular intervals (weekly or monthly). Each time, the entire collected sum is given to one member of the group in rotation, until all members have received their turn.

More Articles from IIARD INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BANKING AND FINANCE RESEARCH

Effect of Monetary Policy on Profitability of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Author: Stephanie Nguhemen Gbande, Mike T. Soomiyol, Timothy Tyona, Gaius Msendoo Asombo

Cognitive Diversity and Performance of Deposit Money Banks in Nigeria

Author: 1Nwangwu, Okwudiri Iheanyi, 2 Pepple, Grace Jamie PhD

Banking Innovations and Industrial Sector Performance in Nigeria: Evidence from ARDL Model

Author: Peter Ngbede Ajam, Abiodun Edward Adelegan, Benson Emmanuel

Environmental Sustainability and Entrepreneurial Performance in Nigeria: A Case Study of Enugu State

Author: i, Azolike Nkiru Nkechi, ii, Okwor Emmanuel Ejimnkonye, iii, Eneaniofu Daniel Mmaduakonam