IMPACT OF FINANCIAL TECHNOLOGY (FINTECH) FIRM SERVICES ON FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

This study examined the impact of fintech firm services on financial inclusion, with specific emphasis on mobile payment and digital wallet services, digital lending and credit services, agency banking services, and digital savings and investment platforms. The study survey research design and relied on primary data analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression techniques. Financial inclusion was modeled as a function of the selected fintech service variables. The model summary indicated a strong positive relationship between fintech services and financial inclusion, with the independent variables jointly explaining a substantial proportion of the variation in financial inclusion. The ANOVA result confirmed that the regression model was statistically significant. The regression coefficients revealed that mobile payment and digital wallet services, digital lending and credit services, and agency banking services exerted significant positive effects on financial inclusion, while digital savings and investment platforms showed a positive but relatively weak effect. The findings suggest that fintech innovations play a crucial role in expanding access to financial services, particularly for underserved populations. The study concludes that strengthening fintech infrastructure, improving regulatory support, and enhancing financial literacy can further deepen financial inclusion. It therefore recommends policy measures that promote fintech adoption, consumer protection, and collaboration between fintech firms and traditional financial institutions to achieve inclusive financial growth