Speaker
Description
Kwara, M. A.
Umaru Musa Yar'adua University, Katsina. Nigeria
murtala.abdu@umyu.edu.ng
Track: Digital Transformation in Higher Education
Digital transformation has become a strategic driver of innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable socio-economic development in higher education. However, research on digital transformation, entrepreneurial universities, artificial intelligence (AI), innovation ecosystems, financial technology (FinTech), and financial inclusion remains fragmented, particularly within the African higher education context. This study addresses this gap by developing an integrated conceptual framework linking digital transformation, entrepreneurship development, and international financial inclusion, while proposing a strategic roadmap for transforming African universities. The study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA 2020 framework. Peer-reviewed publications published between 2015 and 2026 were systematically identified, screened, and synthesized using thematic analysis to examine the interrelationships among digital transformation, entrepreneurial universities, AI, innovation ecosystems, FinTech, and financial inclusion. The findings reveal that digital transformation extends beyond technology adoption to encompass organizational capabilities, strategic leadership, institutional governance, curriculum innovation, research commercialization, digital infrastructure, and university–industry collaboration. Digitally transformed universities are better positioned to promote digital entrepreneurship, startup creation, innovation ecosystems, graduate employability, and financial inclusion through AI-driven innovation, FinTech-enabled financial services, and cross-border entrepreneurial finance. Based on these findings, the study develops the Digital Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion Framework (DEFIF) and proposes the African Digital University Transformation Roadmap (2026–2035) as a phased implementation strategy involving governments, universities, industry, financial institutions, and development partners. The study contributes by integrating the Resource-Based View, Dynamic Capability Theory, Human Capital Theory, Technology Acceptance Model, and Triple Helix Model into a unified analytical framework. It also bridges the literature on digital transformation, entrepreneurship, innovation, and international financial inclusion while offering evidence-based policy recommendations for strengthening digital infrastructure, AI integration, entrepreneurship education, innovation ecosystems, and inclusive financial systems. The study concludes that digital transformation is a strategic pathway for building entrepreneurial universities, expanding financial inclusion, enhancing graduate employability, and fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth across Africa.
Keywords: Digital Transformation; Entrepreneurial Universities; Artificial Intelligence; Innovation Ecosystems; FinTech; Financial Inclusion; Higher Education; Africa.