We investigate the impact of abnormal credit expansion and contraction on the GDP per capita of ECOWAS countries. We analyse abnormal credit from two dimensions: first, the impact of abnormal credit contraction on GDP per capita, and second, the impact of abnormal credit expansion on GDP per...

This paper reviews the recent advances in central bank digital currency research in a way that would help researchers, policy makers and practitioners to take a closer look at central bank digital currency (CBDC). The review shows a general consensus that a central bank digital currency is a...

This article presents a discussion of the role of central bank digital currency (CBDC), Fintech and cryptocurrency for financial inclusion and financial stability. We show that Fintech, CBDC and cryptocurrency can increase financial inclusion by providing an alternative channel through which...

This article advocates a new addition to the theories of financial inclusion which is the institutional theory of financial inclusion. The case for a new theory arises from the role of institutions or non-market structures in influencing the level of financial inclusion. Postulating an...

This paper investigates the association between financial inclusion and sustainable development in a global context. The findings show that high levels of financial inclusion (in terms of higher commercial bank branches per 100,000 adults) is significantly associated with high levels of...

This paper analyzes global interest in internet information about decentralized finance (DeFi), embedded finance (EmFi), open finance (OpFi), ocean finance (OcFi) and sustainable finance (SuFi) and the relationship among them. The findings reveal that global interest in internet information...

There is little academic interest in embedded finance despite the fact that embedded finance is part of the on-going digital finance revolution. This paper presents an overview of embedded finance. It identifies the applications, use case examples, benefits and challenges of embedded finance....

Financial inclusion has been a global development policy priority over the last two decades. Financial inclusion involves providing access to basic financial services and the use of basic financial services to improve the welfare of individuals, households, and businesses. This article...

There is much interest in central bank digital currency (CBDC) among central banks around the world. African countries have also joined the league of nations that are conducting research into CBDC. The launch of the eNaira CBDC in Nigeria has drawn substantial interest from observers around the...

This paper examines the association between bank loan loss provisions and the pre-provisions earnings of UK banks during the first-wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. A positive co-movement between the two variables indicates evidence of income smoothing. The findings show that loan loss provision...