Highlights
About the Journal
The journal’s editorial board comprises distinguished academics and industry experts with extensive experience in finance, economics, and management from Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Ireland, and the United States for America. This team ensures published articles’ quality, relevance, and academic rigour. Adopting a double-blind peer-review process, the JFMS maintains high ethical standards and impartiality, guaranteeing that contributions meet international research benchmarks.
Current Issue
This issue brings together a collection of scholarly articles that collectively examine the transformative role of financial technology (FinTech), financial management practices, and sustainable development strategies across African and emerging economies. The contributions provide both empirical and theoretical insights into how digital innovation, financial efficiency, and policy frameworks are reshaping financial systems and broader economic development trajectories.
The opening article by Hasyim, Nurrahmawati, and Pudyastuti (pp. 1–8) investigates the integration of artificial intelligence within financial services, with particular emphasis on its impact on operational efficiency in banking institutions. The study highlights how AI-driven FinTech solutions are reducing operating costs and enhancing service delivery, thereby redefining traditional banking models. Complementing this, Abdulmumin and Omotosho (pp. 9–31) extend the discussion to Sub-Saharan Africa, analyzing the relationship between FinTech adoption and the performance of deposit money banks. Their findings underscore the critical role of digital financial innovations in improving profitability, financial inclusion, and competitive advantage in the region.
Focusing on financial management practices, Karinijabo (pp. 32–43) examines the contribution of liquidity management to the financial performance of listed commercial banks in Rwanda. The study demonstrates that effective liquidity strategies are essential for maintaining stability and enhancing profitability within the banking sector. Similarly, Musinguzi (pp. 44–72) explores the macroeconomic dimension by analyzing the effect of terms of trade on Rwanda’s economic development, providing evidence on how external trade dynamics influence national growth outcomes.
At the intersection of finance and enterprise development, Amuzat, Lawal, and Garba (pp. 73–96) assess the role of digital payment solutions in enhancing the performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Ilorin-South Metropolis. Their work reveals that digital payments significantly improve business efficiency, financial accessibility, and market participation for SMEs, reinforcing the importance of FinTech in grassroots economic development.
Finally, Chauke and Sifiso (pp. 97–150) broaden the scope to sustainability by examining the role of green building technologies within smart city policies in South Africa. The article highlights how environmentally sustainable innovations can be integrated into urban development strategies, contributing to resilient and inclusive cities.
Overall, this issue underscores the interconnectedness of financial technology, institutional performance, and sustainable development. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to leverage digital innovation and strategic financial management to drive economic growth and sustainability across Africa.
Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement
1. Introduction
The University of Kigali Journals are committed to upholding the highest standards of publication ethics and integrity. The following Publication Ethics and Malpractice Statement is based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Best Practice Guidelines and meets the ethical requirements for journals indexed in Scopus and other international databases.
All parties involved in the publication process — authors, editors, reviewers, and publishers — must adhere to the ethical principles outlined below.
2. Duties of the Editorial Board
2.1 Editorial Independence
Editors have full responsibility and authority to decide which articles are accepted for publication, based solely on their academic merit, originality, and relevance to the journal’s scope, without influence from commercial or institutional interests.
2.2 Fair and Impartial Evaluation
Manuscripts shall be evaluated on intellectual content without regard to the authors’ race, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethnic origin, citizenship, or political philosophy.
2.3 Confidentiality
Editors and editorial staff must maintain confidentiality of all submitted manuscripts and related correspondence. No unpublished material may be used in an editor’s own research without the explicit written consent of the author.
2.4 Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Editors shall not handle manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest arising from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors or institutions connected to the papers.
2.5 Handling of Unethical Conduct
Editors must take responsive measures when ethical complaints are presented concerning a submitted or published manuscript. These may include contacting the author(s), investigating allegations, and cooperating with institutional or professional bodies as necessary.
3. Duties of Authors
3.1 Originality and Plagiarism
Authors must ensure that their work is entirely original and properly cites or quotes the work and words of others. Plagiarism, in all its forms (including self-plagiarism), constitutes unethical publishing behavior and is unacceptable.
3.2 Data Accuracy and Integrity
Authors must present accurate and verifiable data. Fabrication, falsification, or manipulation of data are considered serious ethical violations.
3.3 Authorship Criteria
Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the study. All co-authors should be appropriately credited and approve the final version of the paper before submission.
3.4 Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Authors must not submit the same manuscript simultaneously to more than one journal or publish redundant work describing essentially the same research in multiple outlets.
3.5 Acknowledgement of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have influenced the reported work.
3.6 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
All authors must disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest that could influence the results or interpretation of their manuscript.
3.7 Reporting of Research Involving Humans or Animals
Authors must ensure that all research involving humans or animals complies with institutional, national, and international ethical guidelines and approvals.
4. Duties of Reviewers
4.1 Confidentiality
Manuscripts received for review are confidential documents. Reviewers must not share, discuss, or use the material for personal advantage.
4.2 Objectivity and Constructive Feedback
Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments to help authors improve their manuscripts.
4.3 Promptness
Reviewers who feel unqualified or unable to review a manuscript within the stipulated timeframe should notify the editor promptly.
4.4 Acknowledgement of Sources
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors and alert the editor to any substantial similarity or overlap with other published papers of which they are aware.
4.5 Conflict of Interest
Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships with any of the authors or institutions.
5. Duties of the Publisher / Journal Owner
5.1 Ethical Oversight
The publisher (University of Kigali) ensures that good practice is maintained throughout the publication process and supports the editorial board in addressing any ethical concerns or misconduct.
5.2 Corrections, Retractions, and Expressions of Concern
When significant errors, inaccuracies, or unethical behavior are detected, the publisher and editors will take appropriate action, which may include issuing corrections, retractions, or statements of concern, in accordance with COPE guidelines.
5.3 Archiving and Access
The publisher ensures the digital preservation and accessibility of all published content through reliable archiving systems.
5.4 Transparency in Fees and Open Access
All publication charges (if any) are clearly stated on the journal’s website. Authors are informed about open access policies, copyright, and licensing before publication.
6. Allegations of Misconduct and Appeals
- The journal will investigate all allegations of misconduct (plagiarism, falsification, unethical experimentation, etc.) in line with COPE’s flowcharts.
- Authors and reviewers have the right to appeal editorial decisions through a transparent process managed by the Editor-in-Chief and the Ethics Committee.
- Findings and decisions will be documented and retained confidentially.
7. Compliance and Alignment
This statement aligns with the ethical standards of:
- Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
- Scopus Content Selection and Advisory Board (CSAB) Guidelines
- Elsevier Publishing Ethics Resource Kit (PERK)
- Budapest Open Access Initiative (BOAI) principles (for open access journals)
8. Contact Information
For queries or reports related to publication ethics and malpractice, contact:
The Editor-in-Chief
University of Kigali Journals
Email: jfms@uok.ac.rw
Website: https://jfms.uok.ac.rw
