Bridging the Digital Gap: Mobile Money Services (MMSs) as a Catalyst for Financial Inclusion in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

This study assessed the use of Mobile Money Services (MMSs) for financial transactions among rural residents in Ziba Ward, Igunga District, Tanzania. A sample of 360 household heads was surveyed using structured questionnaires, supported by qualitative interviews. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics.

The findings revealed that sending and receiving money was the most common mobile money transaction, followed by bill payments, deposits and withdrawals, and the purchasing of goods and services.

The study concludes that Mobile Money Services have transformed rural financial life by offering safe, convenient, and affordable alternatives to conventional banking systems, particularly benefiting women in household management and small business activities.

The study recommends the expansion of mobile money agent networks, implementation of targeted awareness campaigns, integration of savings services and agricultural payments, and strengthening of consumer protection measures to maximize the developmental impact of mobile money services in rural Tanzania.