Effect of Digital Financial Services on the Growth of SMEs in Kenya

Abstract

The digital economy is a new business environment that enables enterprises to operate and provide services via the Internet and digital platforms. The study was on the effect of economic digitisation on growth of SMEs in Nairobi CBD. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of digital financial services, digital content, digital values and skills and the effect of online advertising on the growth of small and medium enterprises. The sample size in this study was 1000 SMEs formally registered in the study area from where a sample of 300 was randomly selected. The questionnaire was employed for the purpose of data collection from which out of the 300 questionnaires distributed, 180 were returned representing a 60% response rate. Guided by the research objectives, the data collected through the questionnaire were sorted, coded and presented in graphical and tabular forms for the purpose of descriptive analysis. To determine the significance of the relationship between the dependent and independent variables, a regression analysis was carried out using the Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The study established that digital financial services were significant factors in ensuring growth of SMEs in Kenya. The study concluded that Mobile payments have become a favorite means of making financial transactions. The study also established that Applications available for mobile digital devices is expected to increase enormously. Digital payment technology has increased over the last decade. From the findings, it was concluded that Consumers grow more familiar with the different payment systems available and encourage more transactions. The SMEs should explore the possibility of forming a management committee to streamline economic digitisation issues. It is recommended that the organization clearly spell out economic digitisation procedures and criteria. This can stir positive growth among SMEs establishments and can result in effective management. The Government and the various agencies should also make provisions for training programs for SMEs to empower them in terms of economic digitisation. The SMEs should not rely on external professionals to assist in digitisation as this may be expensive. It is also recommended that the SMEs should adopt digital financial services. E-commerce will ensure increased profitability for small and medium enterprises. They should also have Social networking sites, which have proved to be popular online activities in relation to time, spent. They should also adopt Innovation driven entrepreneurship as it contributes to increase in sales revenue, market share, efficiency, customers’ loyalty and firm profitability.