The Role of Financial Inclusion for Reaching Sustainable Development Goals

In today’s world, financial inclusion has emerged as a critical tool for fostering inclusive economic growth and achieving sustainable development goals. The Role of Financial Inclusion for Reaching Sustainable Development Goals presents a comprehensive exploration of the subject, offering a vital resource for anyone seeking to grasp the intricacies of this dynamic and evolving field. This book assembles a collection of cutting-edge research on financial inclusion, featuring contributions from diverse contributing authors with expertise in various aspects of finance and economics. The volume is structured to examine the main trends and challenges surrounding financial inclusion, while shedding light on its implications for different economies and societies. From the determinants of financial inclusion to its effects on economic agents, financial institutions, and entire economies, each chapter delves into crucial questions, exploring both the theoretical and empirical aspects of the topic. By examining the challenges and implications of financial inclusion in an international context, this book emerges as a relevant and timely reference for policymakers, academics, and financial professionals alike. This book emphasizes the broader social and political impact of financial inclusion, discussing its correlation with issues such as gender inequality, education expenses, health expenses, access to water and sanitation, environmental inequality, and energy needs.

João Jungo is PhD in Economic and Business Sciences, Finance branch, from the University of Aveiro. Doctoral thesis PhD thesis: "Financial inclusion and financial stability: an analysis of African countries". Master's Degree in Economics, Finance branch, from the University of Aveiro. Master's dissertation: "Determinants of savings and financial inclusion: the case of Angolan families". Degree in Economics from the Agostinho Neto University, Faculty of Economics. Monograph: "Elements of regional and agrarian economics: a case study of Bengo province". Bengo province". Member of the Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policy Research Unit (GOVCOPP). Public Policies (GOVCOPP), research group Decision Support Systems (SAD). Assistant Professor Invited, University of Aveiro - Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, Instituto Superior de Contabilidada e Administração-Portugal, Curricular Units (UCs): Macroeconomics and Economics I. Collaborating professor at the Metropolitan Polytechnic Institute of Angola. Courses taught: Microeconomics; Financial Mathematics; Angolan Financial System; Public Finance. Lecturer at the Kangonjo Institute: Macroeconomics, Monetary and Financial Economics . Author of books, book chapters and scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals and opinion articles in Angolan newspapers. Research interests: Economic Development; Financial System; Governance; Institutions; Innovation and Sustainability.

Mara Madaleno is Assistant Professor of Finance and Economics at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourist at the University of Aveiro. Finished her Ph.D. in 2011 at the University of Aveiro in Economics. Director of the Master in Economics – Branches: Finance + Business Economics. Full researcher at the GOVCOPP – Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, and Vice-Coordinator of the research line SAD – Systems for Decision Support at GOVCOPP. She is also Vice-Director of the Master in Data Science for Social Sciences and Vice-Coordinator of Continua-UA . Her research interests include financial markets, financial economics, financial energy markets, environmental economics, energy and environment, sustainability. Participates in several research projects.

Anabela Botelho is a Full Professor of Economics at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism, University of Aveiro (UA), Portugal where she serves as the Diretor of the Department and Coordinator of the Economics Area. Among others, she has previously performed the following institutional duties since joining the UA in 2014: Coordinator (elected) of the GOVCOPP (Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies) Research Unit; Member (elected) of the UA Scientific Council; Proponent and Director of the Doctoral Program in Economic and Business Sciences; Director of the Masters in Economics. She has been, since 2008, an effective member of the Portuguese Higher Statistical Council (CSE-entity of the State which guides and coordinates the National Statistical System), nominated by the Portuguese Prime Minister as indicated by the Council of Rectors of Portuguese Universities, and an effective member (and elected President since December 2022) of the Standing Section of Statistical Confidentiality of CSE. A pioneer in the introduction of teaching and research in Experimental Economics in the Portuguese academy, she previously held teaching and/or research positions in several institutions, namely in the Universities of Minho and Porto, and, in the United States, in the Universities of South Carolina, Central Florida, Arizona and California. Dr Botelho received her PhD in Economics (1998) from the University of South Carolina, USA, and her main teaching activities have included undergraduate and graduate courses in Econometrics, Microeconometrics, Game Theory, and Experimental Economics, and her research focuses on the use of these methodologies to the analysis of specific problems affecting mainly the Environmental, Energy, Financial, and Health sectors of the Economy.