Intangible Capital | 2026
Authors: Gallegos A.; Rodríguez-Zavala L.A.; Valencia-Arias A.; Valencia J.
DOI: 10.3926/ic.3355
Journal: Intangible Capital
Year: 2026
Publisher: OmniaScience
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Cited by: 0
Purpose: In recent decades, financial technologies (FinTech) have emerged as pivotal instruments for the transformation of global financial systems, particularly in contexts characterized by high levels of labor informality. This study analyzes the capacity of FinTech to promote the inclusion of informal workers in different regions of the world, especially in the developing economies of Latin America, Africa, and South Asia, where financial exclusion remains a structural problem. From a comparative and global perspective, the research explores how contextual factors influence the effectiveness of FinTech solutions in driving inclusive financial systems. Design/methodology/approach: The study evaluates the effectiveness of FinTech solutions, such as digital payments and microcredit, in developing regions characterized by poor infrastructure and regulatory barriers, particularly in Latin America, Africa, and South Asia. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic review of studies indexed in Scopus and Web of Science was conducted to identify patterns, contextual determinants, and barriers that affect the inclusion of informal workers through financial technologies. 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. These findings provide relevant information for policymakers and financial regulators, highlighting the need to strengthen investment in infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and inclusive financial governance. Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature by offering a PRISMA-based systematic and comparative synthesis of FinTech solutions targeting informal workers. Instead of proposing a new causal model, it develops an integrative conceptual framework that organizes existing research across technologies, dimensions of inclusion, contextual factors, and theoretical approaches. This framework enables a comparative understanding of how FinTech inclusion strategies vary across regions, identifying gaps, convergences, and persistent limitations in current academic production. © (2026), (OmniaScience). All rights reserved.
Financial inclusion; Financial technologies; FinTech; Informal workers; Regulatory barriers