THE EFFECT OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FIN-TECH) ON THE PERFORMANCE OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN KANO METROPOLIS, NIGERIA

Abstract

Financial Technology (FinTech) holds significant potential for enhancing entrepreneurial performance. However, empirical evidence on the effect of its specific dimensions on women entrepreneurs in emerging economies remains limited. This study investigated the effect of five FinTech dimensions (Technological Innovation, Payment and Settlement Systems, Access to Financial Information, Risk Control Mechanisms, and Lending and Financing Platforms) on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey design was employed, and data were collected from a sample of 371 women entrepreneurs selected via a multi-stage sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, and hypotheses were tested using Multiple Linear Regression analysis. The results revealed a statistically significant model (F-statistic = 58.34, p < .001) that explained 50.7% of the variance in business performance. All five FinTech dimensions had significant positive effects, but their impacts varied. Lending and Financing Platforms (β = .315, p < .001) exerted the strongest effect, followed by Payment and Settlement Systems (β = .257, p < .001), Technological Innovation (β = .216, p < .001), Risk Control Mechanisms (β = .171, p = .001), and Access to Financial Information (β = .118, p = .021). A critical "access-impact gap" was identified, where the most potent performance driver (lending) had the lowest adoption rate. The study concludes that a hierarchical relationship exists among FinTech dimensions, with capital access being the most critical lever for growth. It is recommended that policymakers and financial institutions prioritize dismantling barriers to digital credit while bolstering payment infrastructure and trust mechanisms to fully harness FinTech's potential for inclusive development