Financial inclusion through FinTech: A bibliometric and systematic review of the intellectual structure and future research agenda

Abstract

Promoting inclusive economic development and reducing financial exclusion are now strategic objectives for governments, regulators and development agencies. Financial technology (FinTech), including mobile banking, digital payments, peer to peer lending, blockchain and artificial intelligence, has changed how financial services reach underserved groups, especially in emerging economies. This study combines bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review to map the intellectual structure and recent trends of research on FinTech enabled financial inclusion. The bibliometric analysis covers 219 Scopus records published between 2016 and May 2026, from 122 sources and 661 authors. Publication trends, productive sources and authors, country collaboration, keyword co-occurrence, thematic maps and conceptual structures were analysed with Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny and VOSviewer. Following PRISMA 2020, 55 studies were selected for thematic synthesis. The dataset shows rapid growth, with an annual growth rate of 30.66 percent, an average of 28.91 citations per document and 39.27 percent international co authorship. The synthesis identifies six research streams: FinTech adoption and financial inclusion; financial literacy and digital inclusion; MSME development and entrepreneurship; women’s empowerment, trust and digital inclusion; sustainability and inclusive development; and AI and blockchain based financial ecosystems. The literature generally links FinTech with better access to and use of financial services, but the benefits depend on literacy, trust, infrastructure and regulation. The study proposes an integrated conceptual framework and a research agenda covering longitudinal evidence, digitally excluded populations, sustainability outcomes and responsible use of AI and blockchain. The findings guide researchers, policymakers, regulators and FinTech practitioners.