INFLUENCE OF DIGITAL PAYMENT PLATFORMS ON THE GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES (SMEs) IN ANAMBRA STATE
Abstract
This study examined the influence of digital payment platforms on the growth of SMEs in Anambra State. The study was guided by two research questions and four null hypotheses. The study adopted the mixed methods research design, which comprised quantitative and qualitative research design. The population of the study was 981 registered SMEs in Anambra State, which also constituted the sample as census sampling was used. The study used a Google Form questionnaire for data collection, which was on a four-point scale. Also, interviews was used to collect first-hand information from the respondents. Data collected from the respondents were analyzed using the mean and standard deviation to answer the research questions while the Independent t-test was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significance. The study found that digital payments, such as mobile USSD and Contactless payments positively influenced the growth of SMEs in Anambra State. Also, there is a significant difference in the mean ratings of the respondents on the influence of Mobile USSD and Contactless payments on the growth of SMEs because of gender and location. The study recommended that Policymakers should establish and enforce regulations that protect SMEs and customers using digital payment platforms to ensure transparency and consumer protection. Also, government agencies and financial institutions should organize training programs to educate SME owners on the effective use of Mobile USSD and Contactless payment in their business operations
Keywords:
Digital payment, Mobile USSD, Contactless payment, SMEsDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2025 Dr. Jacinta Ifeoma Obidile, Chukwunenye Daniel Ogukwe , Lydia Udeh Opara
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