Abstract
This article analyzes the effects of information and communication technologies on the level of banking inclusion of populations in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU). To this end, it is a contribution to the exploration of new and innovative ways of solving the problem of banking exclusion of populations in an area where more than half of the adult population remains excluded from the financial system in general. The theoretical frameworks used in this research are those of the frontier theory of access possibilities and access barriers to financial services, and client selection theory. A linear model based on panel data has been adopted in this article to analyze the empirical link between information and communication technologies and the banking inclusion index of the populations in the Union over the period 2006-2016. The model was estimated using the panel-corrected standard error method. The results show that the use of ATMs and the Internet diffusion among the WAEMU population positively and significantly influence the level of banking inclusion of the WAEMU population. The use of information and communication technologies by both the population and the banks is an innovative way of improving the level of banking inclusion of the Union population. To improve banking inclusion in the Union, the article encourages banks and the population to rely more on the use of these technologies.
Highlights
In the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU 1 ), financial development policies have always accompanied the financial system [1], with a view to enabling it to play its full role in the economies of the Union
In order to compare this theoretical view with empirical evidence in the WAEMU, this research asks the question: What are the effects of information and communication technologies (ICTs) on the banking inclusion of populations in the WAEMU? The objective of the research is to analyze the effects of ICTs on the banking inclusion of populations in the Union
After calculation by the author, the values of the banking inclusion index over the period 2006-2016 for all WAEMU countries are presented in the following figure 3: Source: Author after calculation of the IFI from BCEAO data, 2018
Summary
In the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU 1 ), financial development policies have always accompanied the financial system [1], with a view to enabling it to play its full role in the economies of the Union Despite these policies, the financial sector in WAEMU remains less inclusive. 64.10% of the adult population remained excluded from the financial system in the WAEMU in 2017, according to the same source. This observation on the banking sector, in the Union, shows that the situation regarding the banking inclusion of the population remains problematic
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Finance and Banking Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
