Financial Inclusion and the Gendered Impact of Mobile Banking in Rural Kenya: An Empirical Analysis, 2010–2024

This study presents a mixed-methods investigation into the gendered impact of mobile banking on financial inclusion for women in rural Kenya from 2010 to 2024. While mobile money services like M-Pesa have proliferated, a persistent gender gap in usage and derived benefits indicates that technological access alone is insufficient for empowerment. The research empirically analyses how mobile banking influences women’s economic agency, control over finances, and participation in household decision-making. Quantitative data were collected via a structured survey of 400 randomly selected households across three counties, complemented by qualitative insights from eight focus group discussions and twenty key informant interviews. Ethical approval was granted by the relevant institutional review board. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics reveal that mobile banking has increased women’s basic transactional access. However, its transformative potential is constrained by entrenched socio-cultural norms; women’s usage remains disproportionately focused on domestic transfers, while men retain greater control over savings and credit. The findings demonstrate that digital financial inclusion does not automatically dismantle structural barriers. The study concludes that achieving genuine economic empowerment requires a more nuanced, gender-intentional policy framework, integrating mobile technology with targeted financial literacy programmes and initiatives addressing intra-household power dynamics. This research provides contemporary, evidence-based insights for policymakers and providers aiming to leverage digital finance for equitable development.