Date of Conferral

6-19-2025

Degree

Doctor of Information Technology (D.I.T.)

School

Management

Advisor

Carpenter Donald

Abstract

The rapid growth of digital financial services (DFS) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has significantly expanded access to financial services for underserved populations. However, cybersecurity managers within telecommunications regulatory agencies in SSA remain concerned about emerging cyber threats that pose risks to DFS providers and their customers, potentially undermining trust and economic growth. Grounded in the technology-organization-environment framework, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry study was to explore strategies cybersecurity managers within telecommunications regulatory bodies in SSA use to assess the cybersecurity readiness of DFS providers. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with six cybersecurity managers from telecommunications regulatory bodies across six countries, as well as a review of 10 publicly accessible industry reports. Thematic analysis revealed three central themes: (a) capacity development through cybersecurity training and collaborative engagement, (b) strengthened cybersecurity governance through risk-based supervision and enforcement, and (c) technology-driven solutions for fraud prevention and cyber threat mitigation. A key recommendation is the development of a standardized, regionally relevant cybersecurity risk assessment framework tailored to the unique challenges of DFS in SSA. The implications for positive social change include the potential for telecommunications regulatory agencies and DFS providers to enhance consumer protection and increase public trust in DFS platforms, thereby advancing broader financial inclusion for unbanked populations and contributing to more inclusive digital economies in the region.

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