BREAKING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC OPPOTURNITIES THROUGH DIGITAL FINANCIAL SERVICES

Abstract

Women’s economic involvement in the financial sector remains unequal. This study compares the impact of digital financial inclusion on women’s economic empowerment.  Using data collected from the Global Financial Inclusion Database for 2017 and 2022   the paper examines the relationship between women’s economic empowerment and digital financial inclusion through the use of content analysis. About 2000 respondents were used for the study and ordered probit model was used to analyze the relationship between inclusive digital financing and women empowerment. Findings shows that using digital financial services accords women numerous opportunities which includes significant economic role in decision-making than they could do without financial inclusion, access to a variety of digital financial services that could affect their choices and decisions, income generation amongst others However, lack of a powerful digital financial infrastructure, and unfavorable rules and regulations are parts of the challenges. This paper therefore recommends that; considering social and cultural dimensions are very important in efforts targeted towards women empowerment in the northern part of Nigeria.