The contribution of financial inclusion on women’s economic empowerment in Mali and reduction of household poverty

Abstract

In Mali, poverty remains a major challenge for socioeconomic development and the improvement of household living conditions. Over the last two decades, financial inclusion has emerged as a fundamental pillar of economic development and poverty reduction strategies in sub-Saharan Africa. This article examines the contributions of financial inclusion to the economic empowerment of Malian women and the role they play in reducing household poverty. The methodology relies on the analysis of secondary quantitative data from written sources, as well as international and national institutions. A descriptive analysis of the financial inclusion indicators access, usage, and quality as defined by the BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States), shows a progressive increase in the synthetic financial inclusion index (SFII) from 0.188 to approximately 0.499. The study highlights a statistically significant association between financial inclusion and the national poverty rate, with a moderate coefficient of determination (R² = 56.4%) for 5% level of significance, observed for the period from 2014 to 2024. Malian women play a crucial role in the fight against poverty particularly within their own households yet their access to financial services remains limited, often due to socioeconomic and cultural constraints.

Classification JEL: I31, I32, J16, M41

Type of paper : Empirical research