Mobile Money Systems as Avant-Garde in the Digital Transition of Financial Relations

Abstract

Mobile money is an electronic form of currency, which has become popular, particularly in developing countries over the last decade. This chapter summarizes the main findings from the empirical literature of the positive impacts (economic and social) of deploying mobile money platforms. They are reconfiguring and transforming pre-existing financial practices, including the unbanked segments of the population into formal economic relations, and providing self-reliance and security to local communities. This chapter also clarifies the types of data required to conduct more reliable empirical research and enhance cooperation among the parties involved in deploying and studying the effects of mobile money (MM) systems (i.e., among the academic community, policymakers/regulators, central banks, telecommunication companies, and entrepreneurs). Overall, this chapter presents a road map to establish a unified field of MM research by putting forward some lessons of improved inquiry and practice.