Mobile banking and the performance of savings and credit cooperative societies in Tanzania

In recent times, the use of mobile banking has expanded significantly in Tanzania, but its impact on Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (SACCOS) purposes are still uncertain. This study examined mobile banking's effects on Tanzania's SACCOS, using a quantitative research approach. Purposive sampling was employed to select three SACCOS offering electronic banking services in Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro regions, with a total sample size of 64 employees and supplemented them with secondary data from 2020 to 2024 from SACCOS reports and financial statements. Statistical analysis was used to describe mobile banking usage and regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between mobile banking usage and return on assets (ROA). The results showed a favourable correlation between mobile banking and performance (ROA), mobile banking was favorably viewed for improving accessibility and efficiency. Mobile banking positively affects SACCOS in Tanzania by offering and enhancing new ways of addressing financial barriers. Emphasizing the need for SACCOS to adopt the evolving technological innovations and other electronic banking features. Despite the existing challenges, SACCOS continually strive to minimize such challenges. The study recommends that SACCOS should set up robust customer support systems to address technical and security issues, streamlined regulatory compliance and mitigate the challenges associated with the adoption of mobile banking. This conclusion emphasizes the dual need for technological advancement and organizational support to fully leverage mobile banking as a tool for financial growth and inclusion in cooperative societies.