Mobile Money Transfer Research Articles

Impact of Forced Relocation and Community Integration on Household Well-being of Urban Refugees in Kenya

Forced displacement is a global issue that affects millions of people all over the world. Refugees are forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or other forms of violence. The majority of refugees often end up in urban areas, where they face numerous challenges, including social exclusion, limited access to basic services, and economic marginalization. This study examines the relationship between forced displacement, social cohesion, and household welfare outcomes of urban refugees in Kenya. The study utilized household data on urban refugees in Kenya sourced from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), 2020 [85], and, the Kenya Continuous Household Survey (KCHS), 2019 [41]. The study estimates were regressed using the Ordinary Least Squares method and diagnostic tests were done to determine the accuracy of the estimates. The study found that an additional member in an urban refugee household led to an asset increment of 6.7%. The study further found that an additional habitable dwelling in an urban refugee household increased family assets by 71.9%. Utilization of mobile banking services, having nuclear members abroad, and participation in community-based organizations also had a positive impact on family asset accumulation in a refugee household. The study also found that utilization of mobile money transfer (M-PESA), negatively influenced family assets. This study contributes to the literature on Urban refugees as it gives insights into factors that can improve welfare and enhance social cohesion between refugees and host communities in Kenya. Gaps have also been identified in the mandate of UNHCR beyond the camps and the role of the Kenyan Government in urban housing programs for refugees.

THEORETICAL AND APPLIED ASPECTS OF AI IMPLEMENTATION IN FINTECH AS A DRIVER OF SOCIO-ECOLOGICAL-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Introduction. Financial technologies play a crucial role in socio-ecological-economic development by automating various processes across all sectors and increasing service accessibility not only in large cities but also in every corner of the country. The use of remote customer service channels reduces labor and associated costs, promoting more efficient resource utilization. FinTech supports the growth of financial markets and serves as a vital tool for optimizing both the everyday lives of individuals and the functioning of the entire ecosystem. These technologies significantly facilitate the formation of connections between different sectors, accelerating the attainment of economic, social, technological, political, and other benefits. FinTech not only fosters economic growth but also supports sustainable development by enhancing social inclusiveness and promoting ecological sustainability through more efficient resource use and reduction of the carbon footprint. The purpose of the article. It is necessary to investigate the theoretical and applied understanding of AI in Fintech as a driver of socio-ecological-economic development. Results. Trends in AI, considering sustainable development and financial technologies, highlight the following key directions: Green AI (energy-efficient algorithms; energy consumption optimization); Ethical and Transparent AI (ethical principles; explainability); Inclusive Financial Technologies (financial inclusion; personalized financial services); Innovations in Lending and Risk Management (creditworthiness analysis; risk forecasting); Intelligent Investment Platforms (robo-advisors; micro-investments); Cybersecurity (threat detection; behavior analysis); Sustainable Development through Financial Technologies (investing in sustainable development; impact monitoring). Therefore, it can be argued that the integration of artificial intelligence in financial technologies not only drives innovation in financial services but also upholds the principles of sustainable development, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and efficient practices. Conclusions. Financial technologies are rapidly evolving, stimulating the emergence of diverse services, including internet payments, lending through distributed ledgers, and mobile money transfers. Key directions in the development of financial technologies include fraud protection, business interchanges, and adaptation to regulations, opening up new opportunities for all consumer categories. Transformational trends in fintech innovations significantly impact Ukraine's financial sector, expanding the accessibility of financial services and enhancing the efficiency of financial companies. It is necessary to ensure the creation of appropriate legislative and regulatory environments to guarantee the security and stability of the financial sector in the face of rapid development of digital technologies. The application of artificial intelligence in the financial sector is defined by key directions such as green AI, ethical and transparent AI, fostering innovation and sustainable development, increasing the efficiency and accessibility of financial services.

Technology and communal culture of sharing and giving: implications on household savings behavior in Fiji

PurposeThis study examines how the introduction of mobile money transfers, while making it efficient and convenient to access funds, has affected rural households’ savings behavior and the banking sector.Design/methodology/approachThis study utilizes Fiji’s most recent agricultural census data to model the agricultural household’s saving decision. The study estimates an probit model to examine rural households' savings behavior. Furthermore, it utilizes time series secondary data to examine how funds transfer has been channeled to rural households in Fiji.FindingsFirstly, the results demonstrate that with the mobile money transfer platform launch, the banking sector has lost substantial money previously used to pass through its system, thus losing service fees and interest income. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate that those using mobile wallet platforms to receive money are more likely not to have a savings account with the bank. Noting the cultural systems and social settings of the native households and the ease of payments via the mobile platform, they tend to spend more on consumption rather than saving, thus making these households more vulnerable during shocks such as natural disasters.Originality/valueWhile mobile money transfer is hailed as a revolution, no research has yet picked up the downside to it, that of undermining the very effort by policymakers to get low-income rural households to save. Secondly, this study also highlights how mobile money transfer deprives the banking system of a significant transfer fee income and a source of funds to pool and lend to earn interest income. Furthermore, this study brings to the forefront a dichotomy about how a rural indigenous community sees the welfare and prosperity of their community much differently than what economics textbooks portray.

The influence of mobile money services on customers in the Bolgatanga municipality, Ghana

Mobile telecommunications can help low-income countries improve their fixed-line and internet infrastructures. Mobile phones boost information availability, reduce search costs, facilitate supply coordination, and benefit low-income people. Mobile banking, often known as m-money, uses mobile networks to allow account balance queries and money transfers without the use of physical infrastructure. Ghanaians strongly prefer mobile money transfer services because of their low cost and accessibility across all economic strata. These simple and dependable services are suitable for clients who have little financial means, as most Ghanaians do. There has been very little empirical research into the benefits and challenges of mobile money services. Because of a paucity of data at the individual level, research into the penetration of financial services in low-income countries such as Ghana is limited. This study looks at both the advantages and disadvantages of using mobile money services. The study analyzed data from a mobile money survey using Partial Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM). This evidence supports the hypothesis that benefits will increase customer sentiment, while restrictions will decrease patronage. The researchers will conduct additional research into the theoretical and practical implications of mobile money systems' benefits and drawbacks for consumers. It supports the hypothesis that advantages improve consumers' perceptions, while impediments reduce patronage. Additional research will consider both the theoretical and practical implications of mobile money systems' benefits and challenges for users.

Financial Inclusion Policies and Performance of Nigerian Listed Deposit Money Banks

The development of modern technology for financial transactions poses exciting enquiries to both the finance sector operators and policy formulators with regard to appropriateness of previous institutional measures and availability of devices that will guarantee efficiency, effectiveness and financial stability of fiscal policies. This study evaluates the impact of financial inclusion strategies on the performance of Nigeria’s banking industry. To get the intended outcome, this study employs an ex-post facto research strategy to investigate the relationship between financial inclusion and the economic performance of the Nigerian banking industry. The data utilised in this study is sourced from various secondary sources from 2009 to 2019. The study included descriptive statistics and the Ordinary Least Square method of Regression analysis. The findings of the study suggest that the adoption of Point of Sale (PoS) terminals significantly influences the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the banking industry in Nigeria. Additionally, it revealed that financial transactions conducted through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) have a substantial impact on the Return on Equity (ROE) of the banking industry in Nigeria. On the other hand, it was determined that Mobile Money Transfer did not demonstrate a significant impact on the performance of the Nigerian banking sector. The report so suggests, among other recommendations, that the Central Bank of Nigeria should conduct a downward revision of electronic payment transaction rates in order to foster greater financial inclusion.

Mobile technology, farmer education and performance of agricultural projects: A case of the digifarm sunflower project in Makueni County, Kenya.

Mobile technology in agriculture offers an effective and economical means of expanding knowledge sharing and exchange. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to establish the influence of mobile technology on the performance of agricultural projects in Makueni County, Kenya. Specifically, the study remit was mobile applications and mobile money transfers. This study adopted a mixed-methods approach to ensure a comprehensive assembly and triangulation of requisite data to respond to the survey objectives. The target population for this study was all sunflower farmers in Makueni County who subscribed to the DigiFarm platform. The sample size for this study was 208. The results were presented using descriptive statistics and correlations between the variables studied. Mobile applications presented weak positive correlations with the performance of agricultural projects, while Mobile money presented a strong positive correlation with agricultural projects.

The Effect of Mobile Money Services Usage on Financial Inclusion in Nyamigamba Village

Several studies have shown that most of citizens living in rural areas are financially excluded due to several reasons such as lack of awareness of using mobile money financial services but also high cost of using the mobile money services. Thus, this study tend to analyze the effect of mobile money services usage on financial inclusion in Nyamigamba village which is one of the rural area located in Mwanza region, Tanzania. However, the selected mobile money services were mobile money transfer service, mobile money receiving service, mobile money payment service and mobile money loan service.

Usability Enhancement through Heuristics: A Framework for Mobile Money Transfer Systems

The widespread use of mobile technology has enabled the introduction of various mobile money services. Many factors contribute to the success of mobile money transfer systems, and usability measures the level of success. Usability heuristics principles developed by Nielsen, a pioneer in usability engineering, have existed and are popularly used to assess the usability of computer systems. However, in the wake of emerging new technologies such as mobile applications and mobile money transfer systems, there is a need for domain-specific heuristics. The purpose of the study is to investigate the usability of mobile money transfer systems and develop a usability heuristic framework that enhances Mobile Money Transfer Systems. The study covered mobile money transfer systems in Kenya. The research adopted a mixed method design that included the Design Science Research methodology and survey design. The Design Science Research process provided the structure for the study and the survey design guided the questionnaire administration. Data were obtained using questionnaires. The target population was Mobile Money Transfer System consumers in Nairobi County, Kenya. The data collected was analysed using both descriptive and factor analysis. A mobile money transfer system usability heuristics framework was developed using the findings. A sample of 396 was used, with a response rate of 81.1%. This framework was validated by mobile money transfer systems experts, who agreed that the developed framework can be applied in the real world with an average weighted mean of 4.55, allowing for further development. This research contributes to knowledge of usability heuristics required to evaluate mobile money transfer systems, reducing the development time and cost.

Money or Power? Choosing Covid-19 aid in Kenya

In response to the Covid-19 crisis, 186 countries implemented direct cash transfers to households, and 181 introduced in-kind programs that lowered the cost of utilities such as electricity, water, transport, and mobile money. During times of crisis, do people prefer in-kind transfers or cash, and why? In this paper, we compare electricity transfers against a benchmark of cash transfers (mobile money) among 2000 rural and urban residents of Kenya with pre-paid electricity meter connections. We offer participants an incentivized choice between electricity transfers or mobile money, totaling approximately USD 10 to 15, and then implement their choice over three months. We generate three main findings. First, participants overwhelmingly prefer cash, with three-quarters of participants opting for mobile money even when offered electricity tokens with a cash value that is 40 percent higher, possibly due to the flexibility in expenditures or credit constraints. Second, despite relatively low baseline electricity consumption, preference for cash is slightly lower in rural areas, possibly due to higher transaction costs for purchasing electricity, lower mobile money penetration, or savings constraints. Third, electricity tokens transfers generate a larger increase in electricity consumption than equivalent cash transfers, suggesting a role for mental accounting; however, we estimate no impact of either electricity or cash transfers on a broad set of socioeconomic outcomes. These patterns suggest that mobile money transfers generate larger welfare gains than electricity credit, at least in settings with high mobile money penetration.

EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC PAYMENT ON THE NIGERIAN ECONOMY

The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of electronic payment system on the Nigerian economy. This study adopted the ex-post-facto research design to determine the causeeffect relationship of electronic payment and the Nigerian economy. The dependent and independent variables were observed over the period, 2009 to 2020. The same data were analyzed and tested using econometric analytical technique to determine the impact of the independent variable (electronic payment proxied by ATM payment, POS payment, Web payment and mobile money transfer payment) on the dependent variable (Nigerian economy proxied by Gross Domestic Product). Data were tested using the E-view statistical software adopting the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method on the regression model adopted. The signs and significance of the regression coefficients were relied upon in explaining the nature and influence of the independent variable on the dependent variable as to determine both magnitude and direction of impact. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 (5%) level of significance. Results from the study revealed that automated teller machine (ATM), point of sale (POS), web payment (WEBPAY) and mobile money (MBM) payment has positive and significant impact on the Nigerian economy. Thus, electronic payment has positive and significant impact on the Nigerian economy. The study therefore concludes that, an increase in electronic payment will lead to an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and by implication economic growth. Hence, it is recommended that the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Central Bank of Nigeria should establish policies that ensure the enhancement and sustenance of efficient electronic payment channels.

Innovative domestic financing mechanisms for health in Africa: An evidence review.

This article synthesizes the evidence on what have been called innovative domestic financing mechanisms for health (i.e. any domestic revenue-raising mechanism allowing governments to diversify away from traditional approaches such as general taxation, value-added tax, user fees or any type of health insurance) aimed at increasing fiscal space for health in African countries. The article seeks to answer the following questions: What types of domestic innovative financial mechanisms have been used to finance health care across Africa? How much additional revenue have these innovative financing mechanisms raised? Has the revenue raised through these mechanisms been, or was it meant to be, earmarked for health? What is known about the policy process associated with their design and implementation? A systematic review of the published and grey literature was conducted. The review focused on identifying articles providing quantitative information about the additional financial resources generated through innovative domestic financing mechanisms for health care in Africa, and/or qualitative information about the policy process associated with the design or effective implementation of these financing mechanisms. The search led to an initial list of 4035 articles. Ultimately, 15 studies were selected for narrative analysis. A wide range of study methods were identified, from literature reviews to qualitative and quantitative analysis and case studies. The financing mechanisms implemented or planned for were varied, the most common being taxes on mobile phones, alcohol and money transfers. Few articles documented the revenue that could be raised through these mechanisms. For those that did, the revenue projected to be raised was relatively low, ranging from 0.01% of GDP for alcohol tax alone to 0.49% of GDP if multiple levies were applied. In any case, virtually none of the mechanisms have apparently been implemented. The articles revealed that, prior to implementation, the political acceptability, the readiness of institutions to adapt to the proposed reform and the potential distortionary impact these reforms may have on the targeted industry all require careful consideration. From a design perspective, the fundamental question of earmarking proved complex both politically and administratively, with very few mechanisms actually earmarked, thus questioning whether they could effectively fill part of the health-financing gap. Finally, ensuring that these mechanisms supported the underlying equity objectives of universal health coverage was recognized as important. Additional research is needed to understand better the potential of innovative domestic revenue generating mechanisms to fill the financing gap for health in Africa and diversify away from more traditional financing approaches. Whilst their revenue potential in absolute terms seems limited, they could represent an avenue for broader tax reforms in support of health. This will require sustained dialogue between Ministries of Health and Ministries of Finance.

Mobile money taxation and informal workers: Evidence from Ghana's E‐levy

SummaryMotivationIn recent years, governments in low‐income countries have increasingly introduced taxes on mobile money transfers. These are often explicitly promoted as a way of taxing informal economic activity, but critics have noted their potential negative impact on lower‐income groups and specifically those in the informal sector. Yet there is virtually no evidence base on the effects of mobile money taxes on informal workers.PurposeThis article assesses how informal workers in Accra, Ghana, use mobile money and how they perceive Ghana's Electronic Transfer Levy (E‐levy), introduced in May 2022. This provides a particularly interesting case study to explore the equity implications of the tax, as the policy was explicitly justified as a way of taxing the informal economy but also includes measures to limit the tax burden on lower‐income groups.Methods and approachThe article uses data from a survey of 2,700 self‐employed informal workers in the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to capture citizen perceptions of the policy and to examine the likely impact of the E‐levy on informal workers with reference to equity.FindingsOverall, our results suggest that the E‐levy is highly regressive. Further, we show that most informal workers disapprove of the E‐levy, reflecting not just concerns about its equity impacts, but also disappointment with the government's performance.Policy implicationsOur findings suggest that taxes on digital financial services should be reconsidered from an equity perspective. While some policy measures, including those undertaken in Ghana, can protect low‐income earners, they are often insufficient to counteract overall regressive impacts. Where they are implemented, social spending from the revenue from these taxes should target low‐income populations in the informal economy, while governments should focus on building trust among informal workers with regard to revenue raising and spending.

Predicting mobile money transaction fraud using machine learning algorithms

AbstractThe ease with which mobile money is used to facilitate cross‐border payments presents a global threat to law enforcement in the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. This paper aims to utilize machine learning classifiers to predict transactions flagged as a fraud in mobile money transfers. The data for this study were obtained from real‐time transactions that simulate a well‐known mobile transfer fraud scheme. Logistic regression is used as the baseline model and is compared with ensemble and gradient descent models. The results indicate that the logistic regression model still showed reasonable performance while not performing as well as the other models. Among all the measures, the random forest classifier exhibited outstanding performance. The amount of money transferred emerged as the top feature for predicting money laundering transactions in mobile money transfers. These findings suggest that further research is needed to enhance the logistic regression model, and the random forest classifier should be explored as a potential tool for law enforcement and financial institutions to detect money laundering activities in mobile money transfers.

Сучасний стан розвитку міжнародних грошових переказів в Україні

The development of international bank transfers and mobile applications in Ukraine is considered. The essence of bank transfer, types and participants of the transfer process are defined. The tendency of development of money transfers in Ukraine, where international transfer systems are used both within the country and for receiving funds from abroad, is analyzed. The largest amounts of funds received in the country through international systems from foreign countries are identified. According to the research results, the most popular transfer systems most often used in Ukraine have been allocated as follows: SWIFT, IntelExpress, Western Union, MoneyGram, RIA MoneyTransfer. Among the cross-border transfers received in Ukraine we distinguish the following: remuneration of workers, which includes incomes of migrant workers working abroad for up to one year; «private transfers», which include transactions between resident and non-resident households. Recently, according to the results of statistical reporting on the analysis of private remittances, an increase in their volumes has been noted. The dynamics of volumes of private remittances in Ukraine by major countries is provided, which indicates an increase in their number over the past few years. The support of consumers of banking services in the direction of international bank transfers in wartime conditions in Ukraine is examined. Among them: support for international systems by canceling or reducing transfer fees; the emergence of new services. It is noted that the banking services market is sensitive to innovation processes, especially those related to the introduction of information technologies. Among such technologies, mobile applications for transferring money, which are extremely popular today, are allocated and studied. Based on the main criteria of Monito company, a digital startup whose mission is to help by saving on fees and exchange rates when making money transfers, the best mobile money transfer apps are considered. The rating of the best modern mobile applications for transferring funds is provided.

The Contribution of Science and Technology in Countering Violent

This study examines the role of science and technology in countering violent extremism (CVE) in Lamu County, Kenya. The study employed a descriptive research design and mixed-method cross-sectional survey approach, focusing on multi-agency team operations, specifically emphasizing Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) activities in the Boni Forest. The research population comprised key stakeholders and practitioners involved in CVE efforts, totaling 120 officers. A purposive sampling technique ensured diversity within the sample based on participants’ expertise, background, functional areas, departments, age, and units within the Kenya Defence Forces. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and key informant interviews for primary and secondary data from books, journals, and operating procedures. Quantitative data analysis employed SPSS for descriptive statistics, while thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. The study reveals that science and technology have been integral to Kenya’s CVE efforts, with the National Counter-Terrorism Center (NCTC) playing a significant role in intelligence gathering and analysis using technology. Collaboration with international agencies allowed sharing of intelligence, aiding the prediction of attacks and identification of areas with prevalent radicalization. Surveillance technologies like drones and CCTV cameras have enhanced monitoring in high-risk areas, leading to effective response measures. Moreover, mobile money transfer systems like M-Pesa are beneficial and susceptible to misuse in financing terrorist activities, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between financial institutions and security agencies. The study recommended integrating science and technology with community engagement, education, and policy initiatives. It underscores the need for a comprehensive community-centered strategy in Lamu County, fostering partnership and trust between the government and local communities. Continuous research, capacity building, and counter-narratives using technology are essential for sustained progress in countering violent extremism. While science and technology offer invaluable tools, collaboration, and holistic approaches remain vital to achieving comprehensive results and maintaining national security.

Mobile Money Transfer Charges’ Effects on Adult Learning Entrepreneurial Agents’ Commission in Tanzania: A post-Government Tax Levy Imposition Era

This paper reports the findings of a study that was conducted to determine the effects of charges imposed in Mobile Money Transfer (MMT) on Adult Learning Entrepreneurial Agents (AEA)’s commission after government tax levy introduced in Tanzania. This action research used questionnaires and interviews to collect primary data, which has been complemented by secondary data. It applied purposive sampling to select 350 AEA participants from Dar es Salaam region. Moreover, the study employed a mixed methods research approach to ensure the validity and reliability of the results and improve specific practices. The MMT charges and AEA’s commissions were analysed using Spearman correlation, t-test, and descriptive statistics. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 facilitated the analysis of quantitative data. Qualitative data (perceptions/feelings on the effects) on the other hand ware subjected to content analysis. The study found that there is a statistically significant negative correlation at (r = -.124, p < .05) between MMT charges imposed by government tax levy and AEA’s commissions. The findings further indicate that 63.7 percent of the respondents noticed a decrease in AEA agents’ commissions after the government imposed a tax levy on MMT charges. The findings also indicated that there is a significant difference between the AEA’s commission before and the post-government tax levy charges imposed on MMT in Tanzania at (t=13.04, df=349, p<.05). Based on the study findings, to improve the AEAs’ practices it is recommended that the stakeholders in MMT need an agent special forum for discussion within the industry. The AEA must also restructure their work practices to integrate unexpected changes in agency activity. Furthermore, the agents need to rethink the concurrent or diversified kinds of business to accommodate the effects of charges introduced in MMT.

The Effects of EVC Plus on Firm’s Sales Performance

This paper analyzed how EVC Plus affects the sales performance of local firms using coded data from HORMUUD Telecom (2017-2020) for privacy purposes and survey questionnaires extracted from local universities. Five clusters were chosen as a sample, universities, grocery supermarkets, pharmacies, utility companies, and government agencies. The study uses an autoregressive model and other techniques. The findings reveal that the adoption of EVC plus has a strong positive and significant correlation with a firm’s performance. The highest correlation coefficient is found in utility firms, followed by the universities, where almost all transactions are made in EVC Plus mobile money transfers.

Mobile Banking Services and Financial Performance of Saccos in Mandera County, Kenya

In spite of the role played by mobile banking as supported by the statistics shown above, how SACCOS’ financial performance is affected by mobile banking services. Therefore, this study sought to determine the influence of mobile banking services on financial performance of SACCOS in Mandera County. The specific objectives were to establish the effect of mobile money transfer, mobile account management, mobile credit facilitation and mobile bill presentment on financial performance of selected SACCOs in Mandera County. The study was guided by diffusion of innovation theory, theory of technological acceptance model and the task technology fit theory. A descriptive research design was deployed. The target population for this was all the selected SACCOs in Mandera County. There are 39 registered SACCOS in the County. This study focused on the 39 SACCOs distributed in all constituencies in Mandera County. Three respondents were selected from every SACCo to form a total population of 117 respondents. The target population was the management staff of the selected SACCOs. Stratified random sampling technique was deployed in obtaining sample of 35 SACCOs and 90 management staff. The study will collect primary data using semi-administered questionnaires containing open and close ended questions. Descriptive statistics including standard deviation, means, frequencies and percentages will be utilized. Frequency in tables were used in quantitative data presentation. Regression analysis will be done to illustrate how mobile money transfer, mobile account management and mobile credit facilitation and mobile bill presentment affects financial performance of selected SACCOs in Mandera County. The study found the mobile money transfer, mobile account management, mobile credit facilitation and mobile bill presentment had a positive significant relationship with the financial performance of selected SACCOs in Madera County. The study concluded that cash transfers influence mobile money transfer performance also to a very large extent and there was linear relationship between mobile money transfer and the performance of the inception of mobile phone financial transaction has brought a lot of benefits to the SACCOs in Mandera County. Mobile banking services such as airtime top up service has enabled commercial banks to increase their sales volumes, reducing costs of distribution and increasing customer satisfaction which ends up influencing financial performance positively. New payment technologies like bill payments have not only reduced the settlement time required for transactions but also financial costs that may arise from the processing of bill payments. Mobile credit facilitation to a larger extent impacts the financial performance of commercial banks in Kenya in that it helps reduce unnecessary cost, increase efficiency and improves on service delivery to customers. The study recommended that the management of the SACCOs in Mandera County should conduct research on other possible m-banking packages to capture market niches that competitors have not identified hence expand on the market share leading to improved financial performance. The SACCOs have put in place measures become more competitive by keeping pace with the technological developments. The SACCOs in Mandera County need to consider using person to person payments to improve on their financial performance and the SACCOs should ensure security and privacy on telephone services to avoid impersonation and fraud involved.
 

Chain upgrading, technology transfer, and legitimacy: The Schumpeterian character of China in the information and communication technology sector in SSA

Drawing on technical change and technology transfer theories, we explore the Schumpeterian character of China in the information and communications technology (ICT) value chain in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Using data collected from various online sources, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and World Integrated Trade Solutions (WITS) databases, we establish three key findings. First, relative to the traditional Global North sources, China has become a major source of ICT in SSA. Second, over the past two decades, Chinese firms operating in SSA have adopted a Schumpeterian character to gain legitimacy in the communities in which they operate. Third, with the easier transfer of ICT from China, local ICT firms in SSA have upgraded their value chains from only delivering information services to becoming important players in the financial sector, including the provision of mobile money transfer services. We conclude that China's expansive size, coupled with its ability to produce technologies for low-income economies, is likely to ensure that it will remain the dominant source of ICT innovations for SSA.

BRAND LOYALTY AND BRAND NAME AWARENESS ON CONSUMER DECISION MAKING PROCESS ON AIRTEL KENYA MOBILE MONEY TRANSFER

Mobile money transfer, was introduced in Kenya in 2007 is one of the epitomes of inventions in the telecommunication industry. The number of subscribers in the mobile money transfer has increased over time due to rising brand popularization by the different players. This study was carried out with the overall objective of finding the influence of brand equity on consumer decision making process on Airtel Kenya mobile money transfer. The specific objectives were to determine how brand loyalty and brand name awareness can influence consumer decision making process on Airtel Kenya mobile money transfer. The research was anchored on Consistency Theory supported by Unified Theory. This research utilized the descriptive research design. The study population was 36,800 Airtel Money customers in Nairobi. Primary data was collected using a questionnaire from a total sample of 123 Airtel Money customers within Nairobi central business district. Random sampling technique was used to randomly select the 123 respondents. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used to analyse data using descriptive and inferential statistics which included correlation and multiple regression. The study found out that there was strong and positive correlation (R=0.759) between brand name awareness and consumer decision making process. Also the study results showed a strong positive relationship (R=0.714) between brand loyalty and consumer decision making process. The study recommends Airtel Kenya mobile money service provider should strive to create brand loyalty and brand name awareness by sponsoring more public welfare activities, increase their social responsibility rate and constantly increase awareness of their product through commercial advertising as well as social media. The study also recommends mobile service providers to come up with superior quality products as expected by majority of the consumers by make quality a part of your company culture.