From Exclusion to Inclusion: Understanding the Financial Landscape of University Students in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess financial inclusion status of University students in Zimbabwe. In order to achieve this objective, 109 students from across six State Universities participated in the study by completing questionnaires. Data analysis was enhanced through SPSS version 23. The findings of the study reveal that most university students own a bank account. However, a small number are applying and accessing bank loans. In addition, a number of impediments have been found that prevent certain university students from being financially included. These obstacles include insufficient income to fund bank accounts, excessive bank fees, a lack of trust and confidence, and ignorance of the prerequisites for opening a bank account. The study also found that there is a lot of potential in terms of university students' financial inclusion because most of them have smartphones that can be used for online banking, the majority of them said they are considering opening a bank account in the future, and the majority of them said they understand the significance of financial inclusion. The following recommendations were made: the financial sector should provide unique financial services for students under the guise of inexpensive student loans, accounts and financial education.

Keywords

• financial, inclusion, students, savings, investments