This book investigates the regulation and promotion of financial inclusion and provides a comparative analysis of the regulation, promotion and enforcement of the relevant laws in the SADC (in particular, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe), as well as the challenges of financial inclusion. In turn, it evaluates financial inclusion in the context of specific challenges faced by unbanked and underbanked customers, who are easy targets for cyber criminals because they tend to have lower levels of digital literacy. The book presents novel discussions that identify the challenges and flaws associated with the enforcement of financial inclusion laws and related measures intended to promote financial inclusion in the SADC region. This is primarily done in order to reveal the current strengths and weaknesses of financial inclusion laws in relation to certain aspects of the companies, securities and financial markets in the region. For example, there is no common financial inclusion instrument/law that is effectively and uniformly applied throughout the SADC. This has impeded the enforcement authorities’ efforts to effectively combat financial exclusion across the region.The book is likely the most comprehensive study to date on the regulation and promotion of financial inclusion in the SADC region and fills a major gap in SADC and African legal jurisprudence. As such, it offers a valuable asset for policymakers, attorneys, bankers, securities (share) holders, and other market participants who deal with financial inclusion, as well as undergraduate and graduate students interested in the topic.

In an era defined by rapid technological advancement, the nature of money finds itself at a crossroads, presenting both opportunities and challenges for global financial systems. The rise of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) stands as a testament to this paradigm shift, offering the promise of efficiency, transparency, and financial inclusion. However, amidst the burgeoning interest in CBDCs, a pressing problem emerges: the lack of comprehensive understanding and insight into their development on a global scale. Recognizing this critical gap, Global Developments in Central Bank Digital Currency emerges as a guide for clarity in the complex landscape of monetary evolution. By synthesizing insights from diverse regions and jurisdictions, this book offers a holistic view of CBDC initiatives, unraveling the intricate web of motivations, challenges, and implications. From Africa to Asia, from Europe to Oceania, the book delves into country-specific developments, shedding light on the role of politics, culture, and informal institutions in shaping CBDC adoption.

In today's world, financial inclusion has emerged as a critical tool for fostering inclusive economic growth and achieving sustainable development goals. The Role of Financial Inclusion for Reaching Sustainable Development Goals presents a comprehensive exploration of the subject, offering a vital resource for anyone seeking to grasp the intricacies of this dynamic and evolving field. This book assembles a collection of cutting-edge research on financial inclusion, featuring contributions from diverse contributing authors with expertise in various aspects of finance and economics. The volume is structured to examine the main trends and challenges surrounding financial inclusion, while shedding light on its implications for different economies and societies. From the determinants of financial inclusion to its effects on economic agents, financial institutions, and entire economies, each chapter delves into crucial questions, exploring both the theoretical and empirical aspects of the topic. By examining the challenges and implications of financial inclusion in an international context, this book emerges as a relevant and timely reference for policymakers, academics, and financial professionals alike. This book emphasizes the broader social and political impact of financial inclusion, discussing its correlation with issues such as gender inequality, education expenses, health expenses, access to water and sanitation, environmental inequality, and energy needs.

Responsible and sustainable business practices are becoming increasingly important in the information age, as companies are realizing the need to address ethical and social issues associated with their operations. In today’s interconnected world, businesses have access to vast amounts of data that can be used to improve their bottom line but can also pose significant risks to individuals and society. At the same time, responsible business practices have the capacity to positively impact international development goals such as poverty alleviation, economic growth, responsible consumption, and health and social welfare. This book presents a transdisciplinary framework for addressing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, offering fresh perspectives from the Global South. It provides an overview of the key challenges and opportunities associated with responsible business practices in the information age, including the need to balance privacy and security concerns with data analytics and innovation. It also highlights some of the best practices and initiatives, such as stakeholder engagement, transparency, and accountability. The book establishes the role of green leadership in promoting responsible production, discusses the importance of measuring and reporting on sustainable innovation, including the use of sustainability metrics and reporting frameworks. Further, it debates the importance of incorporating ethics and sustainability in strategic management practices. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the integration of these values in organizational decision‐making. By delving into the pressing matters that impact our world today, the book generates a sense of urgency and awareness among its audience. Its inclusive approach to exploring various perspectives and opinions invites readers to participate in a constructive dialogue, broadening their understanding and deepening their empathy for different viewpoints.

There are essential questions surrounding Africa's digitalization journey, including whether or not the continent can truly serve as the last frontier for socio-economic transformation through digital innovation. An examination of countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Rwanda, which are actively pursuing digitalization, may provide some answers. To evaluate the potential implications, both real and potential, that arise from this focused pursuit, a critical analysis is necessary. Scrutiny of digital infrastructure by companies like Huawei, the emergence of artificial intelligence, and the advent of quantum computing will open new pathways to understanding and establishing promising approaches to the advancement of this region. Examining the Rapid Advance of Digital Technology in Africa offers a comprehensive exploration of the transformative power of digitalization in Africa and its implications for the continent's socio-economic development. It engages with the field of science and technology studies, linking it with socio-economic impacts and transformation, to track, analyze, understand, and critique Africa's contributions to digitalization. The chapters cover a wide range of themes, including ICTs and the business environment, education, healthcare, creative industries, media, culture, tourism, agriculture, ecology, artificial intelligence, blockchain and cryptocurrency revolution, algorithmic governance, the quantum age, and urbanization. This book is a must-read for researchers, scholars, investors, and policymakers who are interested in Africa's digital transformation, as it offers valuable insights into the latest empirical and theoretical aspects shaping the continent's ongoing digitalization.

This conference volume discusses the findings of the iCAB 2023 conference that took place in Johannesburg, South Africa. The University of Johannesburg (UJ School of Accounting and Johannesburg Business School) in collaboration with Alcorn State University (USA), Salem State University (USA) and Universiti Teknologi Mara (Malaysia) hosted the iCAB 2023 conference with the aim to bring together researchers from different Accounting and Business Management fields to share ideas and discuss how new disruptive technological developments are impacting the field of accounting. The conference was sponsored by the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants AICPA & CIMA.

Against a background of calls to prioritise the improvement of financial inclusion in Africa, this book provides an analysis of current financial inclusion measures in Southern Africa. Evaluating the existing strengths and weaknesses of financial inclusion in Africa, it identifies opportunities to improve inclusive financial services and aid poverty reduction in the region. With a focus on South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe as case studies for assessing current financial inclusion in the context of particular challenges faced by unbanked and underbanked customers, who are easy targets for cybercriminals due to low levels of digital literacy, it looks into the regulation and promotion of financial inclusion in Southern Africa. The book explores financial inclusion in the context of digital transformation in the 21st century, examining the regulation and promotion of financial inclusion in the context of digital transformation, as well as the challenges related to financial inclusion. Suggesting improvements to aspects of company law, securities and financial markets in the Southern African Development Community region, the book offers a comprehensive study on the regulation and promotion of financial inclusion in the Southern African Development Community region. It will be essential reading for students and academics researching financial inclusion, international economic law and development.