SAMBO HAPPINESS AUGUSTINE

A persistent lack of access to financial services may hinder small enterprises or start-ups from pursuing economic transformation opportunities. This is typical of traditional financial institutions that are reluctant to serve small businesses and start-ups due to perceived high-risk exposure and high failure rates. Hence, financial innovations such as fintech are increasingly leveraged to reduce barriers to capital access for business startups. Fintech offers services and products that meet the financial needs of customers more effectively than traditional banks. End-users adopt fintech services such as mobile money accounts and digital applications for financing, payments, investments, and accessing credit. In order to achieve this, a descriptive survey research design was used in eliciting response gotten from respondents. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data from all working staffs in all SMEs within Benin City, Edo State. While the sample size was restricted to 360 employed workers. The collected data was analyzed using the simple percentage table. In the findings, it was revealed that fintech adoption has a significant effect on access to finance among SMEs in Nigeria. It was also revealed that fintech adoption has a significant impact on the growth and performance of SMEs in Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government agencies and fintech providers should collaborate to implement widespread financial literacy and digital skills training. This will empower users to confidently navigate fintech platforms, improving economic empowerment and financial management.