What the study found
The study finds that mobile money adoption is associated with lower levels of violent conflict in 103 developing countries from 2000 to 2020. The abstract reports an average decrease of 282 conflict-related deaths.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that digital financial services, especially mobile money, may be strategically important for promoting peace and economic development in low- and middle-income countries.
What the researchers tested
The article examines the impact of mobile money adoption on armed conflict across 103 developing countries over the period 2000 to 2020. To address selection bias, the researchers used the Entropy Balancing method, and they also tested alternative model specifications, instrumental variable techniques for reverse causality, and dynamic and spillover effects.
What worked and what didn't
The findings show that mobile money significantly reduces violent conflicts, with an average decrease of 282 conflict-related deaths. The abstract says these results are robust across sensitivity checks and vary by the type of mobile money service, the country’s level of development, conflict duration, financial sector development, and geographic region. It also identifies income, unemployment, inequality, and consumption volatility as economic channels linked to the reduction in violent conflict.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide detailed information on the specific data sources or the exact measures used for conflict, mobile money adoption, or the economic channels. It also does not describe all possible limitations beyond noting the use of methods to address selection bias and reverse causality.
Key points
- Mobile money adoption is associated with fewer violent conflicts in 103 developing countries.
- The abstract reports an average reduction of 282 conflict-related deaths.
- The results are described as robust to alternative models, instrumental variables, and tests of dynamic and spillover effects.
- The impact varies by service type, development level, conflict duration, financial sector development, and region.
- The authors identify income, unemployment, inequality, and consumption volatility as channels linked to the effect.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Mobile money adoption is linked to fewer violent conflicts
- Authors:
- Alfred Michel Nandnaba
- Institutions:
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Clermont Université, Laboratoire d’Économie d’Orléans, Université Clermont Auvergne, Université d'Orléans, University of Clermont Auvergne
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- DOI:
- 10.1111/ecpo.70040
- OpenAlex record:
- View
- Image credit:
- Raidarmax, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Get the weekly research newsletter
Stay current with scholarly research without reading academic papers — one filtered digest, every Friday.