Financial technologies for the inclusion of informal workers: Solutions, barriers, and opportunities in the FinTech ecosystem

Abstract

Purpose: In recent decades, financial technologies (FinTech) have emerged as pivotal instruments for the transformation of global financial systems, particularly in contexts characterised by high levels of labour informality. This study analyses the capacity of FinTech to promote the inclusion of informal workers, who have been traditionally excluded from formal financial services.

Design/methodology/approach: The study evaluates the effectiveness of FinTech solutions, such as digital payments and microcredit, in contexts with poor infrastructure and regulatory barriers. It also considers challenges like financial and digital literacy among informal workers.

Findings: Despite the advances witnessed in the provision of digital tools, many informal workers encounter obstacles due to a lack of financial and digital literacy, which hinders their full and sustainable integration into the financial system. The results indicate the necessity for public policies adapted to local realities and a more comprehensive approach to FinTech design that addresses the specificities of informal work.

Originality/value: The study paves the way for future research that integrates technological innovations with structural and contextualised financial inclusion, offering insights into how FinTech can better serve informal workers while overcoming existing barriers.