Cash to Digital Transformation: Policy Challenges and Opportunities in Improving Financial Inclusion

Authors

  • Klara Paskarena Dahliani Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia
  • Harry Soesanto Universitas Diponegoro, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54518/ebh.4.2.2025.625

Keywords:

Digital Transformation, Financial Inclusion, Opportunity, Policy Challenges

Abstract

The transition from cash-based payment systems to digital finance has emerged as a global phenomenon driven by advances in financial technology and a growing emphasis on financial inclusion. While this transformation offers significant opportunities to expand access to formal financial services, it also presents a number of policy challenges, particularly in developing countries with low levels of digital literacy. This study aims to explore the policy challenges and opportunities associated with the cash-to-digital transformation in enhancing financial inclusion. A qualitative research method with a literature study approach is used, analyzing academic publications, policy reports, and case studies from various countries. The research findings reveal that the success of this transformation depends on several important factors, including the readiness of digital infrastructure, public trust in the digital financial system, and the development of adaptive and inclusive regulations. The main contribution of this study lies in providing policy recommendations for governments, financial regulators, and fintech industry players in designing sustainable and inclusive digital transformation strategies. These findings are expected to serve as a foundation for policy makers to create a more effective digital financial ecosystem in promoting financial inclusion.

References

Alhammadi, S. (2023). Expanding financial inclusion in Indonesia through Takaful: opportunities, challenges and sustainability. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting 34, (2), 12-32

Allen, F., Demirguc-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., & Peria, M. S. M. (2016). The foundations of financial inclusion: Understanding ownership and use of formal accounts. Journal of Financial Intermediation, 27(2), 1–30.

Alwi, M. N., Bahari, F., Turot, M., Nainggolan, A., & Semmawi, R. (2023). Tantangan dan Peluang Perbankan Digital: Studi Kasus Inovasi Keuangan dan Transformasi Perbankan. Jurnal Cahaya Mandalika 3(2), 2160-2177.

Andaiyani, S., Yunisvita, Y., & Tarmizi, N. (2020). Sricommerce: Journal of Sriwijaya Community Services Peran Financial Technology sebagai Alternatif Permodalan bagi UMKM di Desa Kerinjing, Kabupaten Ogan Ilir. Sricommerce: Journal of Sriwijaya Community Services, 1(2), 85–92.

Anindya, D. A., Aisyah, S., Anggriani, D. P., Fadillah, T. D., Habibie, M., Risal, T., & Nurhusna, S. (2024). Evaluation of Revenue Accounting System at Pos Indonesia Pulo Brayan Branch using Framework Matrix Approach. Economic and Business Horizon, 3(2), 25-34.

Astuti, I. P., Sugiyanto, F. X., & Kurnia, A. S. (2022). The role of financial inclusion in poverty reduction: A production theory approach. Economic and Business Horizon, 1(1), 24-32.

Aziz, A., & Naima, U. (2021). Rethinking digital financial inclusion: Evidence from Bangladesh. Technology in Society, 64(2), 101509.

Beck, T., Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Levine, R. (2007). Finance, Inequality and the Poor. Journal of Economic Growth, 12(1), 27–49.

Belitski, M., Guenther, C., Kritikos, A. S., & Thurik, R. (2022). Economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on entrepreneurship and small businesses. Small Business Economics 58(3), 1-17.

Damodaran, A. (2006). Financial Inclusion: Issues and Challenges on JSTOR. Economic and Political Weekly, 41(41), 4310–4313.

Erlando, A., Riyanto, F. D., & Masakazu, S. (2020). Financial inclusion, economic growth, and poverty alleviation: evidence from eastern Indonesia. Heliyon, 6(10), 35-56.

Fahimah, H. M., & Harsono, M. (2023). Literature Review of The Evolution of Payment System Paradigms: From Cash to Cashless with Digital Payment. Social, Humanities, and Educational Studies (SHES): Conference Series, 6(3), 11–18.

Gabor, D., & Brooks, S. (2017). The digital revolution in financial inclusion: international development in the fintech era. New Political Economy, 22(4), 423–436.

Gomber, P., Koch, J. A., & Siering, M. (2017). Digital finance and FinTech: Current research and future research directions. Journal of Business Economics, 67(5), 537e580.

Hendrawan, M. R. N. A., Marits, S. A., & Herman, S. (2023). Development of digital payment systems in Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 11(3), 1335-1344.

Inoue, T. (2019). Financial inclusion and poverty reduction in India. Journal of Financial Economic Policy, 11(1), 21–33.

Jones, L., Burns, C., & Yoon, C. (2019). CHAPTER 5 – Financial inclusion: challenges and opportunities. Women’s Economic Empowerment 5(2), 63–80.

Jurnalita, A. C. (2024). The Impact of Digital Transformation on MSME Competitiveness and Economic Growth. Arthatama: Journal of Business Management and Accounting, 8(2), 95-106.

Laut, L. T., & Hutajulu, D. M. (2019). Kontribusi Financial Technology dalam Meningkatkan Inklusi Keuangan di Indonesia. In Prosiding Seminar Nasional Fakultas Ekonomi Untidar 2019.

Le, T. H., Chuc, A. T., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2019). Financial inclusion and its impact on financial efficiency and sustainability: Empirical evidence from Asia. Borsa Istanbul Review, 19(4), 310–322.

Li, G., Zhang, R., Feng, S., & Wang, Y. (2022). Digital finance and sustainable development: Evidence from environmental inequality in China. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(7), 3574-3594.

Marc, H. (2020). FinTech and Financial Inclusion: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Payments Strategy & Systems, 14(4), 315–325.

Marsally, S. V, Nugroho, H. F., Saputri, S. E., Tavania, R., & Saputro, R. F. (2024). Analisis Peluang dan Tantangan Penggunaan Financial Technology (Fintech) Pada UMKM di Kabupaten Banyumas. Pusat Publikasi Ilmu Manajemen, 2(3), 227–240.

Milana, C., & Ashta, A. (2020). Microfinance and financial inclusion: Challenges and opportunities. Strategic Change, 29(3), 257–266.

Nasution, L. N., Sadalia, I., & Ruslan, D. (2022). Investigation of Financial Inclusion, Financial Technology, Economic Fundamentals, and Poverty Alleviation in ASEAN-5: Using SUR Model. Abac Journal, 42(3), 132–147.

Noor, M., Fourqoniah, F., & Aransyah, M. F. (2020). The Investigation of financial inclusions, financial literation, and financial technology in Indonesia. Jurnal Perspektif Pembiayaan Dan Pembangunan Daerah, 8(3), 257–268.

Rogers, E. M. (1962). Diffusion of innovations. Free Press of Glencoe.

Romero, L. (2024). Digital payments in Indonesia - statistics & facts. Statista.

Saffanah, N., & Amir, W. (2022). Implementasi fintech (e-wallet) dalam mengembangkan bisnis bagi pelaku umkm di kota makassar. JEMBA: Jurnal Ekonomi Pembangunan, Manajemen & Bisnis, Akuntansi, 2(1), 1-8.

Sarma, M., & Pais, J. (2011). Financial inclusion and development. Journal of International Development, 23(5), 613–628.

Scott, S. V., Van Reenen, J., & Zachariadis, M. (2017). The long-term effect of digital innovation on bank performance: An empirical study of SWIFT adoption in financial services. Research Policy, 46(5), 984e1004.

Shofawati, A. (2019). The Role of Digital Finance to Strengthen Financial Inclusion and the Growth of SME in Indonesia. KnE Social Sciences, 3(13), 389.

Suri, T., & Jack, W. (2016). The Long-Run Poverty and Gender Impacts of Mobile Money. Science, 354, 1288–1292.

Tay, L. Y., Tai, H. T., & Tan, G. S. (2022). Digital financial inclusion: A gateway to sustainable development. Heliyon, 8(6), 12-25.

Xun, Z., Guanghua, W., Jiajia, Z., & Zongyue, H. (2020). Digital economy, financial inclusion and inclusive growth. China Economist, 15(3), 92–105.

Yusuf, S. D., Mokoagow, M., Nur, M., & Rauf, S. (2023). Islamic Financial Characteristics and the Sustainability of Islamic Banking in Indonesia: Challenges and Opportunities. Jurnal Ilmiah Manajemen Kesatuan, 11(2), 363–369.

Zetzsche, D. A., Buckley, R. P., & Arner, D. W. (2019). FinTech for financial inclusion: driving sustainable growth. Sustainable Development Goals: Harnessing Business to Achieve the SDGs through Finance, Technology, and Law Reform 34(3), 177-203.

Downloads

Published

2025-05-30

How to Cite

Dahliani, K. P. ., & Soesanto, H. . (2025). Cash to Digital Transformation: Policy Challenges and Opportunities in Improving Financial Inclusion. Economic and Business Horizon, 4(2), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.54518/ebh.4.2.2025.625

Issue

Section

Articles

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.