Integrating FinTech into Sustainable Development Planning: A Systematic Review and Expert Insights on Financial Inclusion in Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines how financial technology (FinTech) contributes to sustainable and inclusive development in Indonesia, with a particular focus on financial inclusion as a development-enabling outcome. A systematic review of 844 Scopus-indexed studies published between 2015 and 2023 is complemented by expert insights from Indonesian financial advisors with professional experience in FinTech and banking. The synthesis indicates that FinTech can expand access to formal financial services, reduce transaction frictions, and improve service responsiveness, thereby supporting inclusion-oriented development goals. However, the evidence also highlights persistent barriers related to digital literacy, uneven infrastructure, consumer protection, and regulatory capacity, which may limit inclusive outcomes if not addressed through coordinated planning. The study translates these findings into planning and policy implications, including targeted digital financial literacy programs, interoperable payment infrastructure, risk-based regulation, and safeguards for vulnerable users. By linking FinTech-driven transformation to inclusion and development planning priorities, this study offers a structured evidence base for policymakers and planners in emerging economies.