The Role of Corporate Organizations in Bridging Financial Literacy Gaps Among Employees in African Developing Economies

A Systematic Review

Authors

  • Carol Wangari Maina Doctoral School of Economics and Regional Sciences. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6316-4187
  • Diána Koponicsné Györke Institute of Rural Development and Sustainable Economy. Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1367-3741

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33568/rbs.7018

Keywords:

workplace financial education, corporate governance, employee financial well-being, financial literacy initiatives, economic empowerment

Abstract

This study systematically examines how corporate organizations can bridge gaps in employees’ financial literacy in African developing regions. Guided by four research questions, the study evaluates current financial literacy levels, existing corporate financial literacy initiatives, barriers to effective implementation, and potential solutions. Using a systematic approach and the PRISMA framework, data was extracted from peer-reviewed journals, corporate documents, and grey literature. Findings indicate persistently low financial literacy among employees, with notable deficiencies across industries. The study highlights that financial education can significantly enhance financial decision- making, reduce employee stress, and contribute to economic development. Key recommendations include integrating financial literacy into corporate governance, leveraging online technological platforms, aligning financial literacy initiatives with corporate social responsibility strategies, and conducting periodic assessments to address evolving employee needs. These insights position corporate organizations as crucial agents in mitigating financial illiteracy, promoting financial stability, and preparing the workforce for informed financial decisions.

 

References

Amana, S. (2025). Cultivating financial savvy: Educational strategies for lifelong financial wellness in African continent. International Journal of Finance, 10(1), 75–88. https://doi.org/10.47941/ijf.2528

Amana, S., & Tamunomiegbam, N. D. A. (2024). Bridging the financial knowledge gap: Innovative approaches to financial literacy in Africa. American Journal of Finance, 10(3), 24–42. https://doi.org/10.47672/ajf.2280

Brice, R. (2025, February 25). Checklist. CASP – Critical Appraisal Skills Programme. https://casp-uk.net/casp-tools-checklists/

Brownhilder Ngek, N. (2016). Performance implications of financial capital availability on the financial literacy–performance nexus in South Africa. Investment Management and Financial Innovations, 13(2), 354–362. https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.13(2-2).2016.10

Central Bank of Kenya, Financial Sector Deepening Kenya, & Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2024). 2024 FinAccess household survey: Main report. https://www.centralbank.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-FINACCESS-HOUSEHOLD-SURVEY-MAIN-REPORT.pdf

De Beckker, K., De Witte, K., & Van Campenhout, G. (2020). The role of national culture in financial literacy: Cross‐country evidence. Journal of Consumer Affairs, 54(3), 912–930. https://doi.org/10.1111/joca.12306

De Bruijn, E., Antonides, G., & Madern, T. (2022). A behaviorally informed financial education program for the financially vulnerable: Design and effectiveness. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1090024

Global Findex. (2021). Financial wellbeing in Sub-Saharan Africa. https://thedocs.worldbank.org/en/doc/e9f01ff6cb853267a77d6c5bd0f9c27d-0050062024/original/SSA-Resilience-Wellbeing-Note.pdf

Horváthné Kovács, B., Varjú, V., Nagy, B., Szabó, K., Koponicsné Györke, D., & Barna, R. (2022). Heterogeneous Planning Micro-Regions? The Effect of Spatial Dependence and Resource Availability of Settlements on the Rural Development Projects in the Southern Transdanubian Region (Hungary). Journal of Urban and Regional Analysis, 14(2). 159–186. https://doi.org/10.37043/jura.2022.14.2.1

International Labour Organization. (2016). Financial education in South Africa [PDF]. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_emp/ documents/publication/wcms_545803.pdf

Krause, B. L., McCarthy, A. S., & Chapman, D. (2015). Fuelling financial literacy: Estimating the impact of youth entrepreneurship training in Tanzania. Journal of Development Effectiveness, 8(2), 234–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/19439342.2015.1092463

Lusardi, A., & Mitchell, O. S. (2014). The economic importance of financial literacy: Theory and evidence. Journal of Economic Literature, 52(1), 5–44. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.52.1.5

Lusardi, A., Klapper, L., & Oudheusden, P. (2015). Financial Literacy Around the World: Insights from the standard & poor’s ratings services global financial literacy survey. https://gflec.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Finlit_paper_16_F2_singles.pdf

Matewos, K. R., Navkiranjit, K. D., & Jasmindeep, K. (2016). Financial literacy for developing countries in Africa: A review of concept, significance and research opportunities. Journal of African Studies and Development, 8(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5897/jasd2015.0331

Nugroho, T. W., Rahman, M. S., Toiba, H., Andriatmoko, N. D., Hartono, R., & Shaleh, M. I. (2023). Does financial literacy matter for village-owned enterprises’ (VOEs) performance? Evidence from East Java, Indonesia. Cogent Social Sciences, 9(1), Article 2263945. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2023.2263945

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). OECD/INFE 2023 international survey of adult financial literacy. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/oecd-infe-2023-international-survey-of-adult-financial-literacy_56003a32-en.html

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., Shamseer, L., Tetzlaff, J. M., Akl, E. A., Brennan, S. E., Chou, R., Glanville, J., Grimshaw, J. M., Hróbjartsson, A., Lalu, M. M., Li, T., Loder, E. W., Mayo-Wilson, E., McDonald, S., Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Pierce, W. D., & Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. The Canadian Journal of Sociology, 2(3), 321. https://doi.org/10.2307/3340496

Singer, D., Demirguc-Kunt, A., Van Oudheusden, P. & Klapper, L., (2015). The Global Findex Database 2014: Measuring financial inclusion around the world (World Bank policy research working paper). https://doi.org/10.1596/1813-9450-7255

Singh, K., Misra, M., & Yadav, J. (2021). Corporate social responsibility and financial inclusion: Evaluating the moderating effect of income. Managerial and Decision Economics, 42(5), 1263–1274. https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3306

Stanbic Bank Uganda. (2024). Report to society 2024. https://www.stanbicbank.com.ci/static_file/StandardBankGroup/ filedownloads/RTS/2024/SBG_ReporttoSociety2024.pdf

Statman, M. (2019). Behavioral finance: Past battles and future engagements. Financial Analysts Journal, 55(6), 18–27. https://doi.org/10.2469/faj.v55.n6.2311

Toth, R., Kasa, R., & Lentner, C. (2022). The impact of financial culture on the operation of Hungarian SMEs before and during COVID-19. Risks, 10(7), 135. https://doi.org/10.3390/risks10070135

World Bank. (2014). Global survey on consumer protection and financial literacy: Oversight frameworks and practices in 114 economies. https://hdl.handle.net/10986/18978

Downloads

Published

2025-12-15

How to Cite

Maina, C. W., & Koponicsné Györke, D. (2025). The Role of Corporate Organizations in Bridging Financial Literacy Gaps Among Employees in African Developing Economies: A Systematic Review. REGIONAL AND BUSINESS STUDIES, 17(2), 67-80. https://doi.org/10.33568/rbs.7018

Most read articles by the same author(s)