Financial inclusion, digitalization, and business resilience: evidence from microfinance institutions in Latin America
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23420485Keywords:
Financial inclusion, digitalization, business resilience, microfinance institutions, Latin AmericaAbstract
This article presents a narrative review of recent scientific literature (2018–2026) on the impact of the digital transformation of Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) on the resilience of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Latin America. Using a qualitative approach and comparing the findings with dynamic capabilities theory and digital financial intermediation theory, the study synthesizes the findings around three fundamental axes: the technological and analytical modernization of MFIs, the expansion of credit access for vulnerable and informal sectors, and the operational mechanisms that strengthen business continuity in the face of exogenous macroeconomic shocks. The discussion examines the regional contrasts arising from structural disparities in connectivity, as well as the critical challenges associated with the persistence of the digital divide, cybersecurity, and the risk of over-indebtedness in the face of accelerated digitalization and inadequate financial literacy. Finally, the study concludes that financial technologies act as indispensable catalysts for regional corporate adaptability, opening new lines of research aimed at evaluating the long-term impact of artificial intelligence and central bank digital currencies in emerging markets.
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