Reducing Financial Exclusion and Enhancing Contribution of Non-Interest (Islamic) Banks in Nigeria

Authors

  • Ismaila Sabi Abdullahi International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Ashurov Sharofiddin International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia
  • Salina Kasim International Islamic University Malaysia, Malaysia

Keywords:

Financial inclusion strategy, Islamic banks, Financial exclusion, Supply-side analysis, Nigeria

Abstract

Financial exclusion denies people access to useful and affordable financial products and services including transactions, payment, savings, credit and insurance. Thus, Nigeria launched its National Financial Inclusion Strategy in October 2012 to reduce financial exclusion to 20.0% by end 2020 from 46.3% in 2010; and the licensed Islamic banks are stakeholders in this declaration. Thus, the study adopts an exploratory approach to discuss the contribution of Non-Interest (Islamic) Banks in achieving the set target from the supply-side. The study found that Islamic banks in Nigeria have contributed to reducing the exclusion rate from the supply-side to 35.9% in 2020 by financing customer centric Shari’ah compliant products; growth in branch network and other touch points; agent banking operations; and participation in the Central Bank of Nigeria non-interest intervention schemes. The study recommends the spread of their financial touch points to the unbanked rural populace in other states; while it encourages the government, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and all other stakeholders to sustain efforts in reducing financial exclusion.

References

Abdu, M., A. Jabir, S. Abdullahi, and A.A. Rabi’u. “Can Islamic Banking and Finance Spur Financial Inclusion? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa.” CBN Journal of Applied Statistics 9, no. 1 June, (2018): 77-104.

Abdullahi, A., A.H.A. Othman and S.H.J. Kassim. “Enhancing Financial Inclusion in Nigeria: The Role of Islamic Finance.” International Research in Training, Engineering, Science and Humanities 1, no. 2 (2020): 1-10.

Abdullahi, I.S. “Islamic Banking in Nigeria: Issues and Prospects.” Central Bank of Nigeria Bullion 34, no. 2 April-June (2010): 36-42.

Adeyemi, A.A., A.H. Pramanik and A.K.M. Meera. “A Measurement Model of the Determinants of Financial Exclusion Among Muslim Micro-Entrepreneurs in Ilorin, Nigeria.” Journal of Islamic Finance 1, no. 1 (2012): 30-43.

Ali, M.M., M.R.P. Sakti and A. Devi. “Developing an Islamic Financial Inclusion Index for Islamic Banks in Indonesia: A Cross-Province Analysis.” Journal of Islamic Monetary Economics and Finance 5, no. 4 (2019): 691-712.

Aljaham, A.S. “Demand and Supply Conditions for Islamic Banking and Finance in Libya.” International Journal of Islamic Economics and Finance Studies 3, no. 2 (2017): 226-52.

Alliance for Financial Inclusion. A Quick Guide to the Maya Declaration on Financial Inclusion, 2012. www.afi-global.org/gpf/maya-declaration

Atkinson, A. and E. Kempson. Financial Capability in the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority, London, United Kingdom, 2006.

Beck, T. and A. Dermigue-Kunt. “Access to Finance: An Unfinished Agenda.” The World Bank Economic Review 22, no. 3 (2008): 383-96.

Bhalla, A. and F. Lapeyre. “Social Exclusion: Towards an Analytical and Operational Framework.” Development and Change 28, no. 3 (1997): 413-33.

Bihari, S.C. “Growth Through Financial Inclusion in India.” Journal of International Business Ethics 4, no. 1 (2011): 28-41.

Burgstaller, J. “Bank Office Outreach, Structure, and Performance in Regional Banking Markets.” Regional Studies 47, no. 7 (2013): 1131-55.

Burkett I. and G. Sheehan. From the Margins to the Mainstream: The Challenges for Microfinance in Australia. Brotherhood of St. Laurence & Foresters Community Finance, Fitzroy, Victoria, 2009.

Brekke, T. “Halal Money: Financial Inclusion and Demand for Islamic Banking in Norway.” Research and Politics 5, no. 1 (2018): 1-7.

Chithra, N. and M. Selvam. “Determinants of Financial Inclusion: An Empirical Study on the Inter-State Variations in India.” (2013).

Clementina, K. and C. Oyims. “Financial Exclusion of Small and Medium Enterprise and Poverty Alleviation: Nigeria Experience.” Archives of Business Research 3, no. 4 (2015).

Collard, S., E. Kempson, and C. Whyley. Tackling Financial Exclusion in Disadvantaged Areas. Bristol, United Kingdom: The Policy Press, 2001.

Connolly, C., M. Georgeouras, L. Hems, and L. Wolfson. Measuring Financial Exclusion in Australia. Centre for Special Impact (CSI) – University of New South Wales, 2011.

Datta, K. “Risky Migrants? Low-Paid Migrants Workers Coping with Financial Exclusion in London.” European Urban and Regional Studies 16, no. 4 (2009): 331-44.

Devlin, J.F. “A Detailed Study of Financial Exclusion in the United Kingdom.” Journal of Consumer Policy 28, no. 1 (2005): 75-108.

EFInA. “EFInA Access to Financial Services in Nigeria Survey.” A Publication of Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access, https://efina.org.ng (2018).

Fadun, S.O. “Financial Inclusion, Tool for Poverty Alleviation and Income Redistribution in Developing Countries: Evidences from Nigeria.” Academic Research International 5, no. 3 May (2014): 137-46.

FSA. In or Out? Financial Exclusion: A Literature Review. Financial Services Authority (FSA), London United Kingdom 2000.

Healey, J. Poverty and Social Exclusion Edited by Justin Healey, E-book. NSW: The Spinney Press, 320 (2011).

Jouti, A.T. “Islamic Finance: Financial Inclusion or Migration?” ISRA International Journal of Islamic Finance 10, no. 2 (2018): 277-88.

Kempson, E. and C. Whyley. Kept Out or Opted Out? Understanding and Combating Financial Exclusion. Bristol, London: The Policy Press, 1999.

Koku, P.S. “Financial Exclusion of the Poor: A Literature Review.” International Journal of Banking Marketing 33, no. 5, (2015): 654-68.

Kumar, N. “Financial Inclusion and Its Determinants: Evidence from India.” Journal of Financial Economic Policy 5, no. 1 (2013): 4-19.

Levine, R. Finance and Growth: Theory and Evidence. In Handbook of Economic Growth. Edited by Phillipe Aghion and Steve Durlauf, New York: Elservier (2005): 865-934.

Maity, S. and T.N. Sahu. “Determinants of Financial Inclusion in India: An Empirical Examination.” Business Practices and Sustainability (2020): 273-89.

Mcdonnell, S. and N. Westbury. “Banking on Indigenous Communities: Issues, Options, and Australian and International Best Practices.” CAEPR Working Paper, no. 18 (2002).

Mitton, L. Financial Inclusion in the UK: Review of Policy and Practice. York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 2008.

Mohieldin, M., Z. Iqbal, A. Rostom, and X. Fu. “The Role of Islamic Finance in Enhancing Financial Inclusion in Organization of Islamic Cooperation Countries.” Islamic Economic Studies 20, no. 2 (2012): 55-120.

Mustafa, D., A.J. Baita, and A.Y. Usman. “Impact Analysis of Islamic Finance on Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth in Selected Muslim Countries: Lessons for Nigeria.” International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting 26, no. 2 (2018): 393-414.

Nazar, M. “Financial Inclusion Through Islamic Banking.” IRA-International Journal of Management and Social Sciences 6, no. 2 (2017): 324-31.

Osei-Assibey, E. “Financial Exclusion: What Drives Supply and Demand for Basic Financial Services in Ghana.” Savings and Development no. 3 (2010): 207-38.

Pearce, D. Financial Inclusion in the Middle East and North Africa: Analysis and Roadmap Recommendations, The World Bank, Washington, DC (2010).

Sain M.R.M., M.M. Rahman, and R. Khanam. “Financial Exclusion in Australia: Can Islamic Finance Minimise the Problem?” Australian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal – AABFJ 10, no. 3 (2016): 89-104.

Sain M.R.M., M.M. Rahman, and R. Khanam. “Financial Exclusion and the Role of Islamic Finance in Australia: A Case Study of Queensland.” Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal – AABFJ 12, no. 4 (2018): 23-42.

Sarma, M. ‘Index of Financial Inclusion’, ICRIER Working Paper, August (2008).

Sarma, M. ‘Index of Financial Inclusion – A Measure of Financial Sector Inclusiveness’, Centre for International Trade and Development, School of International Studies, Working Paper Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, India (2012).

Saunders, P. Down and Out: Poverty and Exclusion in Australia, The Policy Press, Bristol, United Kingdom (2011). https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt9qgkm3

Shinkafi, A.A., S. Yahaya, and T.A. Sani. “Realising Financial Inclusion in Islamic Finance.” Journal of Islamic Marketing, (2019): 143-60.

The World Bank “The Global Financial Development Report 2014: Financial Inclusion”, (2013). https://documents.worlbank.org/curated/en/225251468330270218/Global-financial-development-report-2014-financial-inclusion

Ya’aba, B.N. and A. Mika’ilu. Financial Inclusion and Deepening in Nigeria: The Contribution of Jaiz Bank’, SHARE Jurnal Ekonomi dan Keuangan Islam 7, no. 2 (2018): 95-115.

Zins, A. and L. Weill. “The Determinants of Financial Inclusion in Africa.” Rev. Dev. Finance 6, no.1 (2016): 46-57.

Downloads

Published

2024-06-28

How to Cite

Abdullahi, I. S., Sharofiddin, A. ., & Kasim, S. (2024). Reducing Financial Exclusion and Enhancing Contribution of Non-Interest (Islamic) Banks in Nigeria. International Journal of Economics, Management and Accounting, 32(1), 51–68. Retrieved from https://journals.iium.edu.my/enmjournal/index.php/enmj/article/view/1070

Issue

Section

Articles