This paper expands on financial literacy, access to digital finance, and SME performance in the Central Region of Ghana. First, the study analysed SMEs’ digital platform knowledge and utilisation. It examined the relationship between financial literacy, access to digital finance, and SME performance. The paper discussed the mediating influence of access to digital finance on SMEs’ financial literacy and performance. The study employed the quantitative research approach. Using the purposive sampling technique, a total of 400 responses were gathered from SMEs in Cape Coast, Mankessim, Assin Fosu, Agona Swedru, and Kasoa. The study used self-administered questionnaires to collect data. SPSS was employed to evaluate descriptive statistics. Results show that SMEs in the study areas use Mobile Money more than any other digital platform. PLS-SEM was used to investigate the relationship between financial literacy, digital finance, and SME performance. It was found that financial literacy positively affects access to digital finance. Also, access to digital finance improved performance. Access to digital finance mediates the relationship between financial literacy and SME performance. Access to digital finance is as crucial as financial literacy for increasing performance. Therefore, using digital platforms to trade would boost business performance. Digital trading platform providers should improve advertising and make their systems user-friendly.

Purpose- This paper investigates how financial inclusion impacts sustainable development in Pakistan, with financial literacy and social capital as mediators. The purpose is to explore whether these factors are connected and what this link means for more inclusive and sustainable growth. Study Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative research design was adopted, which was based on data gathered through a structured questionnaire survey of 488 banking customers in Pakistan. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling (SEM) using PLS4-SEM software to assess the direct and indirect relationships between financial inclusion, social capital, financial literacy, and sustainable development. Findings- The findings suggest that financial inclusion positively and significantly impacts sustainable development. Financial literacy and social capital are demonstrated to play a mediating role in enhancing the pathway between financial inclusion and sustainable development. The findings show that increased financial inclusion improves financial literacy and social capital, hence promoting better economic, social, and environmental sustainability outcomes. Research limitations/implications – This study adds to the insights of the policymakers and financial institutions that help achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). Its major implication for policymakers and financial institutions in Pakistan is that strategies that will lead towards enhancing access to banking services, promoting more financial literacy initiatives, and developing social cohesion are essential drivers of inclusive and sustainable development in Pakistan. Research Practical Implications- The study advocates for corporate governance reforms and policy interventions to prioritize human talent capital investments. Financial strategies such as maintaining liquidity and managing leverage are recommended to stabilize firm volatility. Originality/value- This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a detailed analysis of the synergistic relationship between financial inclusion, social capital, and financial literacy in the context of sustainable development. It offers a robust empirical framework for addressing development challenges in emerging economies, focusing on actionable strategies for achieving SDGs.

This study assessed the level of knowledge and use of digital platforms by SMEs in Cape Coast, Mankessim, Assin Fosu, Agona Swedru and Kasoa. Using a quantitative research approach data was gathered from 400 SMEs in Cape Coast, Mankessim, Assin Fosu, Agona Swedru and Kasoa. Self-administered questionnaires were shared and a purposive sampling technique was employed. Using SPSS to test descriptive statistics, results from objectives indicated that managers of SMEs in the study areas have more knowledge and utilize Mobile Money more than any of the country's digital platforms. It is recommended that digital trading platform providers should enhance their advertising and focus on making their platforms easy to use for the average consumer.

The study investigates the impact of Global Value Chain (GVC) participation on socio-economic development and environmental quality in African economies. Specifically, it examines how agricultural and industrial activities within these chains influence natural resource consumption and environmental pollution (carbon emissions). While GVC integration offers African nations pathways to technology transfer and export diversification, the environmental costs, such as resource depletion and increased carbon intensity, remain underexplored. There is a critical need to understand the ‘trade-off’ between leveraging natural resource endowments for competitiveness and maintaining environmental sustainability. This study employs Method of Moments–Quantile Regression (MM-QR) to analyze how agricultural and industrial drivers influence environmental outcomes across different quantiles, capturing variations at different levels of natural resource pressure and pollution intensity. This paper uses an annual, balanced country year panel of data from 1996 to 2021 for 54 countries enabling both ‘within country’ and ‘between country’ inference, while controlling unobserved time invariant heterogeneity. The findings reveal that the effect of GVC linked activities is heterogeneous across the distribution. While industrial and agricultural activities stimulate growth, they significantly escalate natural resource consumption and pollution, particularly in countries with high existing environmental pressure. The results highlight a vulnerability to external shocks, and a tendency toward the exploitation of low-value primary sectors. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable development by quantifying the environmental price of GVC participation in Africa. It provides policy insights for balancing economic growth with environmental objectives, suggesting that African countries must shift from primary sector exploitation toward higher value, greener segments of the global value chain, to ensure long-term resilience.