Bulgarian Journal of Business Research

International scientific journal

The digital path to financial inclusion: unlocking new opportunities for all

Published Online: Nov 26, 2025
Views: 1032
Downloads: 5
Download PDF
Abstract:
This article examines the transformative role of digital finance in advancing financial inclusion, particularly in low-income and remote regions. Digital finance, encompassing tools like mobile wallets, digital lending platforms, and online payment systems, has redefined access to financial services by making them more accessible, affordable, and inclusive. The study highlights how these innovations empower underserved populations, enabling them to participate in the formal financial ecosystem and fostering economic growth. The research also explores key barriers that hinder the expansion of digital finance, including inadequate infrastructure, low digital literacy, cybersecurity challenges, and regulatory gaps. The study is based on a comprehensive review of literature, case studies, and financial inclusion data, offering insights into the opportunities and challenges of digital finance. The findings underscore the urgency of addressing these barriers to fully realize the potential of digital finance in bridging financial disparities. In this current aspect, scientific research includes: The objectives of the development focus on: To analyze how various digital finance tools contribute to financial inclusion; To examine the impact of digital finance on low-income and remote populations based on the corresponding statistics; To identify barriers to the growth of digital finance. The methods and approaches used include: Method for processing data by collecting and converting data into usable information; Instrumental analysis for data processing using Google BigQuery and Talend; Correlation studies through analysis of relationships between several variables; Combining qualitative and quantitative data processing methods; Experimental and statistical analysis for classifying income groups; Risk analysis and main barriers to the expansion of digital financial infrastructure. The results of the study present: Financial Inclusion Dynamics for High-income Economies; Financial Inclusion Dynamics for Upper Middle-income Economies; Financial Inclusion Dynamics for Lower Middle-income Economies; Financial Inclusion Dynamics for Low-income Economies. The main conclusions prove that: First, Digital finance is not a passing trend. It is changing the way people think about money, investments, and financial services; Second, However, to fully unlock the potential of digital finance, it is essential to address the barriers that hinder its growth; Third, In the digital age, financial inclusion has the potential to be vastly expanded through innovative technologies.
Keywords:
Pages:
6-19
JEL Classification:
C12, C38, G10, G14, G24, G28, O33
How to cite:
Dimov, S., Smirnov, V., Kotova, V. (2026). The digital path to financial inclusion: unlocking new opportunities for all. Bulgariаn Journal of Business Research, 37(1), 6-19, DOI: 10.46656/bposoki.2026.37.1(1)
References:
  • Ansar, S., Demirguc-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D. (2022). The Global Findex Database 2021: Financial Inclusion, Digital Payments, and Resilience in the Age of COVID-19 (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/099818107072234182
  • Arner, D. W., J. N. Barberis & R. Buckley (2015) The Evolution of Fintech: A New Post-Crisis Paradigm? University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law Research Paper No. 2015/047, Digital Object Identifier:http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2676553
  • Beck T. & Demirgüç-Kunt A. (2008) Access to Finance: An Unfinished Agenda. The World Bank Economic Review, Volume 22, Issue 3. Oxford University Press, Washington. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/wber/lhn021
  • Blaney, B. (2024) Digital Financial Inclusion Statistics Report. What is Digital Financial Inclusion? Benefits of Digital Financial Inclusion. Updated February 23, Available from:https://tipalti.com/blog/digital-financial-inclusion/. [Accessed May 15, 2025]
  • Chuen, D.L.K. & Deng, R. (Eds.) (2017) Handbook of Blockchain, Digital Finance, and Inclusion, Volume 1, Cryptocurrency, FinTech, InsurTech, and Regulation. Publisher Elsevier Science & Technology Books, Academic Press, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/C2015-0-04334-9
  • Global Financial Inclusion (Global Findex) Database. Available from: https://microdata.worldbank.org/index.php/catalog/global-findex/?page=1&ps=15&repo=global-findex. [Accessed May 16, 2025]
  • Goldfinch, P. (2025) Digital Financial Inclusion: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Finance for All. 1st Edition. Publisher: London, Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, DOI:10.4324/9781003471073
  • Gomber, P., J-A. Koch & M. Siering (2017) Digital Finance and FinTech: Current Research and Future Research Directions, Journal of Business Economics, Volume 87, Issue 5, Springer, DOI:10.1007/s11573-017-0852-x
  • Han, S. (2024). Digital Finance and Financial Inclusion in Africa. Korea Institute for International Economic Policy Research Paper, World Economy Brief (WEB), Volume 14, Issue 15, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4864421
  • Khera, P., S.Y. Ng, Ogawa, S. & R. Sahay (2021) Digital Financial Inclusion in Emerging and Developing Economies: A New Index. IMF Working Paper No. 2021/090, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.5089/9781513578033.001
  • Lauer K., & Lyman T. (2015) Digital Financial Inclusion: Implications for Customers, Regulators, Supervisors, and Standard-Setting Bodies, CGAP Policy Brief, Washington, DC, Available from:https://www.cgap.org. [Accessed May 16, 2025]
  • Lee-Ying Tay, Hen-Toong Tai & Gek-Siang Tan (2022) Digital financial inclusion: A gateway to sustainable development, Volume 8, Issue 6, Heliyon, ISSN 2405-8440, DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09766
  • Metreau, E., K. Elizabeth-Young & S.G. Eapen (2024) World Bank country classifications by income level for 2024-2025. Available from: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/opendata/world-bank-country-classifications-by-income-level-for-2024-2025 [Accessed May 16, 2025]
  • Monye, O. (2023) Digital Financial Inclusion and Regulation. Chapter 2. Financial Inclusion in the Context of Law and Development, 1st Edition, Taylor & Francis Group, London, Routledge, DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003217886
  • Peterson K. Ozili (2018) Impact of digital finance on financial inclusion and stability. Borsa Istanbul Review, Volume 18, Issue 4, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2017.12.003
  • Petrova, M., Popova, P., Popov, V., Shishmanov, K., Marinova, K. (2022). Digital Ecosystem: Nature, Types and Opportunities for Value Creation. In: Rodionov, D., Kudryavtseva, T., Skhvediani, A., Berawi, M.A. (eds) Innovations in Digital Economy. SPBPU IDE 2021. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1619. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14985-6_5
  • Petrova, M., Popova, P., Popov, V., Shishmanov, K., Marinova, K. (2022). Potential of Big Data Analytics for Managing Value Creation. 2022 International Conference on Communications, Information, Electronic and Energy Systems (CIEES), 2022, pp. 1-6, DOI: 10.1109/CIEES55704.2022.9990882
  • Popova, P., Popov, V., Marinova, K. and M. Petrova. (2023). The Role of Digital Platforms and Big Data Analytics as a Base for Digital Service Innovation. 2023 4th International Conference on Communications, Information, Electronic and Energy Systems (CIEES), Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 2023, pp. 1-8, doi: 10.1109/CIEES58940.2023.10378780
  • Schou-Zibell, L., Realini, C., Tomas, R. & D. Woods. (2016) Key Developments to Increasing Financial Inclusion. Financial Inclusion in the Digital Economy. Asian Development Bank. Mandaluyong City, Philippines, Available from: https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/200001/financial-inclusion-digital-economy.pdf [Accessed May 25, 2025]
  • Sharma, V., Gupta, M., Arora, N., & Shaikh, A.A. (Eds.). (2025). FinTech and Financial Inclusion: Leveraging Digital Finance for Economic Empowerment and Sustainable Growth (1st ed.). London, Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003514114
  • Shkurdoda, A. & A. Puczyk (2025) Digital Payment Technologis: The Future of Money and Transactions. Available from: https://neontri.com/blog/digital-payment-technologies/ [Accessed May 16, 2025]
  • World Bank Country and Lending Groups. The World Bank Atlas method - detailed methodology. Available from: https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519-world-bank-country-and-lending-groups. [Accessed May 16, 2025]