Mobile Money Adoption and Rural Financial Inclusion in Kebbi State

Mobile money services have transformed the landscape of financial inclusion in sub-Saharan Africa, offering a pathway to basic financial services for populations in remote and underserved areas. This study investigates the factors influencing mobile money adoption and its effect on financial inclusion among rural households in Kebbi State, located in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. A cross-sectional survey design is employed, with data collected from 300 rural household heads across three local government areas selected purposively to represent varying degrees of network infrastructure quality. The questionnaire measures technology acceptance using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model, adapted to the rural Nigerian context with additional items on financial literacy and trust in technology providers. Data are analysed using logistic regression and structural equation modelling. The study engages with recent Central Bank of Nigeria policy pronouncements on mobile money interoperability and agent banking expansion. Existing literature from East and West Africa indicates that mobile money adoption in rural areas is shaped primarily by network reliability, agent proximity, perceived ease of use, and social influence from peer networks. However, Kebbi State presents a unique context characterised by high agricultural seasonality, gender disparities in mobile ownership, and limited electricity access that may mediate these effects. Findings are intended to guide telecom operators, fintech companies, and the Central Bank of Nigeria in tailoring deployment strategies for northern rural markets. Keywords: mobile money, financial inclusion, Kebbi State, rural finance, technology adoption