Digital resources for green growth: The FinTech–sustainability nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa

As the global economy grapples with climate imperatives and digital transformation, understanding how financial technology (FinTech) can support green growth has never been more crucial. This study examines how FinTech influences green growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using data from 46 countries between 1990 and 2023. A composite FinTech index—capturing digital and financial infrastructure—is developed, while green growth is proxied by adjusted savings from CO 2 damage (% of GNI). Using system GMM and quantile regression, the findings show that, on average, FinTech contributes positively to green growth by expanding access to sustainable finance, clean energy, and environmentally friendly technologies. However, its impact is not uniform. In countries with stronger environmental performance, FinTech may inadvertently increase emissions due to rising energy consumption. In contrast, in environmentally lagging countries, FinTech plays a transformative role by enabling green investments and reducing CO 2 damage. These results highlight the importance of embedding environmental safeguards in digital finance strategies.