Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a vital role in India’s economic growth but continue to face significant challenges in accessing formal financial services. The emergence of Financial Technology (FinTech) has transformed the financial ecosystem by enhancing financial inclusion through digital payments, alternative lending and technology-driven financial solutions. This study examines the impact of FinTech-driven financial inclusion on the sustainable livelihoods of MSMEs in India. Using a quantitative research design, primary data were collected from 140 MSME owners and managers across India through a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools, including correlation and regression analysis, were employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal that FinTech adoption significantly improves access to finance, cash-flow management, income stability and business continuity among MSMEs. The study highlights that FinTech-enabled financial inclusion contributes meaningfully to sustainable economic development by strengthening MSME resilience and long-term viability. The paper offers policy and managerial implications for promoting an inclusive digital financial ecosystem supporting MSME sustainability.
- Demirgüç-Kunt, A., Klapper, L., Singer, D., Ansar, S., & Hess, J. (2018).
The Global Findex Database 2017: Measuring financial inclusion and the fintech revolution. World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1259-0
- Gomber, P., Koch, J. A., & Siering, M. (2017).
Digital finance and FinTech: Current research and future research directions. Journal of Business Economics, 87(5), 537–580. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11573-017-0852-x
- International Finance Corporation. (2020). MSME finance gap: Assessment of the shortfalls and opportunities in financing micro, small and medium enterprises. IFC, World Bank Group.
- Reserve Bank of India. (2023). Report on trend and progress of banking in India 2022–23. RBI Publications.
- Sharma, P., & Gounder, N. (2020). Digital financial inclusion and inclusive growth in developing countries. Journal of International Development, 32(6), 978–1001. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.3498
- Venkatesh, V., Thong, J. Y. L., & Xu, X. (2016). Unified theory of acceptance and use of technology: A synthesis and the road ahead. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 17(5), 328–376.
- Beck, T., Demirgüç-Kunt, A., & Martinez Peria, M. S. (2018). *Bank financing for SMEs around the world*. Journal of Financial Stability, 39, 1–12.
- Ghosh, S. (2018). *How digital finance is transforming MSMEs*. Economic & Political Weekly, 53(12), 45–52.
- Ozili, P. K. (2018). Impact of digital finance on financial inclusion and stability. *Borsa Istanbul Review*, 18(4), 329–340.
- Reserve Bank of India. (2022). *Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India*.
- Suri, T., & Jack, W. (2016). The long-run poverty and gender impacts of mobile money. *Science*, 354(6317), 1288–1292.