Abstracts

Does agri-investment decisions mediate the relationship between access to financial capital and livelihood outcomes among rural smallholder farmers in Tanzania

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Does agri-investment decisions mediate the relationship between access to financial capital and livelihood outcomes among rural smallholder farmers in Tanzania Mgema, Japhet M.; Elias, Ruth.; Mataba, Lucas D. Livelihood outcomes denote improvements in overall wellbeing among rural smallholder farmers, anchored in access to financial capital. Despite increasing policy attention to financial inclusion, evidence on how access to financial capital translates into improved livelihood outcomes remains scarce. This study examined the influence of physical, economic, and digital access to financial capital on livelihood outcomes and agri-investment decisions and assessed the mediation effect of agri-investment decisions between financial capital access and livelihood outcomes. Explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Data were collected from 391 rural smallholder farmers in Singida Region, Tanzania, using structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews selected through simple random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using PLS-SEM, while qualitative data were examined through content analysis. The results indicate that physical and economic access to financial capital on livelihood outcomes were insignificant (p > 0.05), while digital access was significant (p < 0.05). Agri-investment decisions were found to partially mediate the relationship. Furthermore, financial self-efficacy negatively but significantly moderates the indirect effect of access to financial capital on livelihood outcomes through agri-investment decisions (β = −0.063, t = 2.281, p < 0.05), suggesting that higher financial self-efficacy encourages more cautious and thoughtful agri-investment decisions. The study recommends expanding affordable, reliable, and friendly financial services, promoting sound agri-investment decisions, and strengthening farmers’ financial self-efficacy to enhance sustainable livelihood outcomes. By incorporating a behavioral dimension, the study extends the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework beyond its traditional structural focus by integrating a behavioral dimension. This is Abstract

Influence of User Awareness on Blockchain Technology Adoption in Microfinance Institutions in Arusha Municipality, Tanzania

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Influence of User Awareness on Blockchain Technology Adoption in Microfinance Institutions in Arusha Municipality, Tanzania Robert, Renatus.; Ponera, J.M. This study examines the influence of user awareness on the adoption of blockchain technology in microfinance institutions (MFIs) within Arusha Municipality, Tanzania. Guided by the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, the study employed a pragmatist philosophy and a convergent mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from 122 employees across five registered MFIs using structured questionnaires, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with five key informants. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis in IBM-SPSS version 22, and qualitative data were analysed thematically. The results reveal a statistically significant positive relationship between user awareness and blockchain adoption with a total mean score of 4.5, indicating strong agreement among employees regarding the role of awareness in adoption. The study further reveals that training, sensitization, and exposure to practical blockchain use cases enhance employee confidence and reduce resistance to adoption. The study concludes that user awareness is a critical determinant of blockchain adoption in MFIs and recommends continuous awareness programs, pilot implementations, and collaboration with technology experts to support effective and sustainable adoption. The African Conference of Applied Mathematics, 2025 This is an Abstract

The Impact of In-Vehicle Safety Technologies on Road Accident Rates

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The Impact of In-Vehicle Safety Technologies on Road Accident Rates Morah, Job J.; Ponera, Jaffar M. This study investigates the relationship between the adoption of in-vehicle safety technologies and the frequency of road accidents in the Moshi municipal council, Tanzania. The study was grounded on the human factors theory, which provided a framework for understanding drivers’ attitudes, intentions, and behaviours towards safety technologies. A pragmatic research philosophy was adopted, using a mixed-methods research approach and a descriptive research design. The study was conducted in the Moshi Municipal Council, with a sample of 204 respondents and 20 traffic safety experts, selected through purposive and stratified random sampling techniques. Primary data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, while secondary data were obtained via document review. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS v.26, including measures of central tendency and correlation analysis, whereas qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. Findings showed a significant relationship between the adoption of safety technologies and a lower frequency of road accidents. The study concluded that in-vehicle safety technologies effectively reduce accidents, but adoption is constrained by financial, technical, and informational challenges. Recommendations include promoting awareness programs, facilitating adoption through incentives, and partnerships. This study suggested that future research should investigate the effectiveness of government policies and regulatory frameworks in promoting the use of in-vehicle safety technologies. The African Conference of Applied Informatics, 2025 This is an Abstract

Identifying the Common Types of Cybercrime Experienced by Financial Service Agents in Tanzania:

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Identifying the Common Types of Cybercrime Experienced by Financial Service Agents in Tanzania: Malunda, M.; Ponera, Jaffar M. This study examines the level of digital platform security awareness on cybercrime reduction among financial service agents in Temeke Municipality, Tanzania. The research was guided by the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT) and adopted a pragmatist paradigm. A mixed-methods approach was deployed with a convergent parallel research design, which enabled a simultaneous collection of both quantitative and qualitative data. The study employed simple random sampling for quantitative data and purposive sampling techniques for the qualitative component to select participants from the selected population. A sample size comprised of 300 respondents. The quantitative data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 28, and findings were presented in the form of frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while the qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. The findings revealed agents demonstrated a generally high level of security awareness, including practices such as regularly updating passwords, using two-factor authentication, adjusting privacy settings, and recognizing phishing attempts. The study concludes that while high cybersecurity awareness among financial service agents is a critical factor in mitigating digital fraud, it is insufficient on its own. Effective cybercrime reduction requires a dual approach that integrates continuous, human-cantered security training with robust technological safeguards and supportive infrastructure. The findings underscore the need to institutionalize security awareness programs, enforce monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and develop regulatory frameworks that strengthen digital financial ecosystems. The African Conference of Applied Mathematics, 2025 This is an Abstract