Financial exclusion remains a significant barrier to economic empowerment for billions worldwide, limiting access to essential financial services such as credit, savings, insurance, and payment systems.1 This divide disproportionately affects low-income populations, rural communities, and marginalized groups.2 Fintech (financial technology) has emerged as a transformative force, leveraging innovation to deliver financial services more efficiently, affordably, and accessibly.3 This article provides a comprehensive review of the role of fintech in bridging this financial access gap and fostering economic empowerment. Drawing from extant literature, we analyze how various fintech solutions—including mobile money, digital banking, peer-to-peer lending, and robo-advisors—address the traditional barriers to financial inclusion. While acknowledging challenges such as the digital divide, data privacy concerns, and regulatory complexities, this review highlights fintech's profound potential to democratize financial services, stimulate entrepreneurship, and improve overall economic well-being for underserved populations globally.

Financial technology, Financial Access Gap, transformative force

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