Exploring the Moderating Role of Technological Self-Efficacy on Fintech Adoption and Digital Financial Inclusion among Women in Marginalized Communities in Uganda

Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) represents a pivotal pathway for socio-economic empowerment, yet rural women in Uganda remain disproportionately excluded from its transformative potential. This empirical study investigates the moderating role of Technological Self-Efficacy (TSE) on the nexus between Fintech adoption and DFI among women in marginalized communities. Drawing on data from 384 women entrepreneurs operating in the selected refugee resettlement camps of Bidibidi, Rwamwanja and Rhino in Uganda, the study employs a quantitative, cross-sectional design underpinned by hierarchical regression modelling and Hayes’ PROCESS Macro v4.0 to test moderation effects. Findings reveal that both Fintech usage and TSE exhibit statistically significant positive effects on DFI. Critically, TSE strengthens the impact of Fintech engagement on financial inclusion, suggesting that women with higher self-efficacy derive amplified financial benefits from digital platforms. This insight illuminates the non-linear dynamics between digital access and financial empowerment, emphasizing that digital literacy and confidence are not auxiliary factors but core enablers of inclusive fintech ecosystems. This study advances theoretical discourse by integrating behavioural dimensions into Fintech-DFI frameworks and provides actionable recommendations: policymakers and financial service providers must co-design localized digital literacy interventions, embed inclusive user-interface designs, and develop context-aware on-boarding strategies to foster TSE and scale meaningful adoption. The research addresses critical gaps in gendered digital finance literature and offers a replicable model for emerging economies confronting structural exclusion. While limited by its cross-sectional scope and geographical specificity, the study establishes a foundational base for longitudinal and cross-cultural fintech research. The implications are profound for policy, financial innovation, and global development agendas, positioning Uganda as a strategic lens for analysing DFI in digitally transitioning economies.