Financial inclusion as a predictor of women’s investment acumen in Uganda

Purpose This study examines how financial inclusion influences investment acumen among women in rural Uganda, focusing on access, usage, quality and affordability of financial services. It contributes to micro-level literature by linking financial inclusion to investment acumen through self-regulated investment confidence and mastery experience (ME) in under-researched rural contexts. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a self-administered structured questionnaire. The analysis focused on four dimensions of financial inclusion and their influence on self-regulated investment confidence and ME. Findings Access and usage of financial services emerged as the most consistent drivers of both self-regulated confidence and ME. Affordability significantly enhanced self-regulated confidence but did not directly improve ME, suggesting that cost reductions alone are insufficient without sustained engagement. Service quality was nonsignificant, reflecting weak ecosystems and limited digital penetration. Demographic factors had minimal influence compared to financial inclusion variables. Research limitations/implications The study is limited to women in Uganda, which may restrict generalizability to other contexts. Future research should explore more such as digital inclusion to extend on this study. In addition, gender-specific barriers to financial inclusion should be studied in relation to investment acumen. Practical implications Policymakers should prioritize accessible, sustained financial service usage, while tailored institutions and infrastructure foster entrepreneurial inclusion. Social implications Financial inclusion strengthens women’s empowerment and long-term resilience in rural communities. Originality/value This study adds to scarce literature on financial inclusion and investment acumen in Uganda, highlighting access, usage and affordability as key enablers of women’s economic empowerment.