Is Pakistan Ready to Embrace Fintech Innovation?

doi: https://doi.org/10.35536/lje.2018.v23.i2.A6

Syed Kumail Abbas Rizvi, Bushra Naqvi and Fatima Tanveer



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Abstract

Pakistan is an emerging market for fintech, with increasing facilitation for digital payments, widespread internet and smartphone penetration, consumer preferences for social media and booming online commerce. Also, the State Bank of Pakistan provides sound regulations, which act as a platform for fintech growth. While regulations are necessary, they might also become a threat for an industry still in its infancy. This paper aims to provide a qualitative assessment of economic, demographic and technological factors that are conducive for the penetration and growth of fintech in Pakistan. A second, but no less important, objective of this paper is to look at the regulatory framework governing fintech and its contribution in making the segment an active or dormant player in the financial services industry.

Keywords

Fintech, disruption, innovation, financial services, emerging market, Pakistan