“Artificial intelligence for financial inclusion and sustainable development: a systematic literature review”

Abstract

Purpose: The study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances financial inclusion and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on fostering equitable development in low-income and underserved regions. Methodology: The paper employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, guided by the PRISMA framework, to analyse peer-reviewed research published between 2017 and 2025. Data were sourced exclusively from the Scopus database. The authors utilised Excel for preparing the charts and tables, RStudio with the Bibliometrix package, and VOSviewer was employed to visualise research clusters and thematic structures within the domain. From an initial pool of 187 articles, 70 were rigorously selected for the study. Findings: The findings from this study confirm that AI holds transformative potential to promote financial inclusion and support sustainable development. However, realising this potential requires a holistic approach, one that integrates technological innovation with ethical safeguards, contextual understanding, and developmental priorities. As the AI-financial inclusion nexus continues to evolve, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners must work collaboratively to ensure its contributions are inclusive, equitable, and aligned with long-term sustainable development goals. Originality/Value: This paper offers a rare synthesis of interdisciplinary research on AI-enabled financial inclusion and the implications on sustainable development, providing a conceptual roadmap and practical insights for inclusive digital finance.