DIGITAL FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND GOVERNANCE IN UZBEKISTAN: ARE WE LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/Keywords:
financial inclusion, digital governance, Uzbekistan, Payme, Click, unbanked population, Digital Uzbekistan 2030, inclusive development, rural digitalization.Abstract
While Uzbekistan's digital economy is growing fast, a large share of the population still lacks meaningful access to formal financial services. This paper examines how digital finance expansion intersects with inclusive governance and where that intersection is currently failing. Drawing on national data, the World Bank Global Findex 2025, government strategy documents, and international case studies, the study argues that sustainable digital development demands more than infrastructure. It requires deliberate institutions, targeted education, and strong accountability mechanisms. The results show three persistent gaps: geographic exclusion, a generational divide in meaningful usage, and weak consumer protection. The paper ends with four practical steps policymakers can take to make digital finance work for everyone.
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