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Traditional savings and credit associations, also known as ‘Osusu’ in Sierra Leone, are unions of individuals with common economic goals aimed at reducing poverty and economic vulnerability. The chapter examined the ecosystem of traditional indigenous savings and credit associations, their role as an emerging financial inclusion strategy, and contributions to the socio-economic transformation of business processes in the ecosystem of business operations in Sierra Leone. The chapter adopted the case study method to discuss the Tawoponneh model of ROSCAs in Sierra Leone. The institutional theory provided insight into why individuals join ROSCAs, as well as the resulting outcomes and benefits. Additionally, this chapter discusses the challenges associated with indigenous financial sustainability practices and provides actionable recommendations for joint private and government policy collaboration in supporting traditional entrepreneurial businesses.

Introduction: Lending is an age-old concept, and Peer-to-Peer (P2P) lending is not new. The reduction in the issuing of loans by banks has made people switch from traditional to online mode. The introduction of the online P2P lending industry is in its nascent stage of growth. As this industry is relatively new, understanding user experience, sentiments, and emotions would be helpful for the industry to innovate as per customer requirements.

Purpose: To explore the patterns in the sentiments expressed by users of ‘Cashkumar’ based on Google reviews.

Methodology: Sentiments have been analysed using user experience in risk, cost, ease of use, and loan processing time. Python application was used for sentiment analysis of Google reviews.

Findings: The sentiment analysis results showed that the average sentiment score was 0.7144, which indicates that the user sentiment towards ‘Cashkumar’ is positive. The reviews reflect that the users, especially borrowers were satisfied with the platform’s services and happy with loan processing time. The other factors – ease of use, cost, and risk – were not given much importance by users. Both lenders and borrowers faced a few issues, but the results of the lender’s sentiment analysis could not be generalised due to a smaller number of posted reviews.

Africa's history of trade, production and financial services that propelled the continent's economic systems existed long before an era of colonisation commonly recognised as beginning in the nineteenth century. By the time the decolonisation of a majority of African countries was achieved in the mid-twentieth century, the African economic identity had been, to a great extent, relegated by Westernised methods and orientations. Today, Indigenous practices are once again resurfacing in Africa's ongoing search for sustainable development, with increasing calls to resuscitate and incorporate these age-long business orientations. This introductory chapter provides readers with a synopsis of all the themes of this second of a two-volume edited book with a focus on the philosophies and practices of Indigenous businesses, which, if successfully explored and scaled up, would make significant contributions to Africa's economic infrastructure.

Systems thinking calls for a shift of our mindset from seeing just parts to seeing the whole reality in its structured dynamic unity and interconnectedness. Systems thinking fosters a sensibility to see subtle connections between components and parts of reality, especially the free enterprise capitalist system (FECS). It enables us to see ourselves as active participants or partners of FECS and not mere induced factors of its production–distribution–consumption processes. Systems thinking seeks to identify the economic “structures” that underlie complex situations in FECS that bring about high versus low leveraged changes. A system is strengthened and reinforced by feedback of reciprocal exchanges that makes the system alive, transparent, human, and humanizing.

In Part I, we explore basic laws or patterns of behaviors as understood by systems thinking; in Part II we examine the basic archetypes or structured behaviors of systems thinking; in both parts we strive to see reality through the lens of critical thinking to help us understand patterns and structures of behavior among systems and their component parts. In conclusion, we argue for compatibility and complementarity of critical thinking and systems thinking to identify and resolve management problems created by our flawed thinking, and sedimented by our wanton assumptions, presumptions, suppositions and presuppositions, biases, and prejudices. Such thinking will also identify unnecessary economic and political structures of the self-serving policies we create, which imprison us.

Purpose: This study aims to employ bibliometric analysis to condense multiple studies into a single publication that not only gives insights into the growth and advancement of the research area but also establishes a future research agenda. This study provides a summary of advances in academic research on money laundering. The research includes bibliometric analysis and visualisation of bibliographic data using the Scopus database. The results of the study show that there has been a significant increase in the number of publications in the field of money laundering research, with topics focussed on specific areas. This study will also benchmark existing and preliminary themes, designs, and methodological choices for future money laundering research.

Methodology: With the help of the ‘visualisation of similarities’ (VOS) viewer open-source software, bibliometric analysis was performed using Scopus data. Citation analysis, topic mapping, country collaboration, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis are some of the approaches used in bibliometric analysis.

Findings: Based on a bibliometric analysis of 1,391 research papers retrieved from the Scopus database over the past three decades (1990–2021), the study identified the most prominent authors, studies, journals, affiliations, and countries in the field of money laundering, as well as the most co-cited authors and journals. The writers also highlight future study issues in the field of money laundering.

Practical implications: The study’s findings might provide academics and practitioners with information on the present state of money laundering research and trend subjects. It can also be used as a guideline for identifying possible research gaps in the existing literature.

This study examines the importance of financial inclusion and financial literacy in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 01) of reducing poverty within Asia. It highlights the significance of fostering financial inclusion and spreading financial literacy for economic prosperity in the region. Despite the progress made in combating poverty and enhancing financial commodities, challenges persist, particularly regarding insufficient accessibility to basic financial amenities and a lack of knowledge in handling finances. However, a substantial portion of the Asian population lacks access to the financial literacy skills necessary for utilizing financial facilities and achieving financial inclusion. It reviews the current situation of financial inclusion and financial literacy in the region, explores the factors influencing these concepts, and highlights government initiatives aimed at fostering financial inclusion and literacy. Asia, with its diverse cultural and socioeconomic contexts, presents unique challenges and opportunities for promoting financial literacy and inclusion. The region’s growing population, emerging economies, and increasing middle-class underscore the importance of these factors. Ensuring that individuals have access to financial services and the knowledge and skills to manage their finances effectively can support economic development and poverty reduction, and create an inclusive and equitable society. By addressing the challenges of limited access to financial amenities and promoting financial literacy among the population, it is possible to foster economic growth, reduce poverty, and create more inclusive societies.