Banking Innovation and Economic Growth in Nigeria
Sr No:
Page No:
1-11
Language:
English
Authors:
Dr. Iheanacho Princewill Wachukwu*
Received:
2025-02-01
Accepted:
2025-02-14
Published Date:
2025-02-17
Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of banking innovation on economic
growth in Nigeria, with a particular focus on digital payment services, electronic
banking services, and the Bank Verification Number (BVN) system. Despite the rapid
uptake of financial technologies in Nigeria, empirical research on their impact on the
economy is limited. The study seeks to address this gap by examining the relationship
between various banking innovations and Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The research uses time series data from 2009 to 2023, analyzing variables such as
Point of Sales Machine transactions (POSM), Mobile Banking App transactions
(MOBA), Automated Teller Machine transactions (AUTM), Bank Verification Number
registrations (BVRN), and Real Gross Domestic Product (RGDP). The methodology
includes descriptive statistics, Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) unit root tests,
Johansen cointegration analysis, and an Error Correction Model (ECM). The findings
reveal that all banking innovation variables are positively and significantly linked to
economic growth, both in the short and long term. The Johansen cointegration test
indicates a long-run equilibrium relationship between these variables and economic
growth. The ECM results show that mobile banking has the strongest short-run impact
on economic growth, followed closely by the BVN system. Additionally, POS and ATM
transactions significantly contribute to GDP growth. The study concludes that
banking innovation is a critical driver of Nigeria's economic growth, providing
evidence for the financial innovation-led growth hypothesis in the Nigerian context.
However, the relatively lower impact of POS transactions suggests that there is room
for further development in this area. Based on the findings, the study recommends
policies to encourage the adoption of mobile banking, strengthen the BVN system,
enhance POS usage, and continue investment in ATM infrastructure. It also advocates
for a supportive regulatory framework, financial literacy programs, and cross-sector
collaboration to maximize the potential of banking innovations for economic growth.
Keywords:
Banking Innovation, Economic Growth, Nigeria, Digital Payments, Electronic Banking, Bank Verification Number, Financial Technology.