Towards an Improved Framework for E-Risk Management for Digital Financial Services (DFS) in Ugandan Banks: A Case of Bank of Africa (Uganda) Limited.

Abstract

One of the predominant challenges facing banks in low resource countries is the management of Digital Financial Services (DFS) risks. Many banks are making worthwhile efforts to boost the factors that make them come on top of the challenges, unfortunately they have fallen short. This article sought to develop an e-risk management framework for DFS in Ugandan banks. Design Science Research paradigm, a mono-method qualitative research method and a case study research strategy was adopted. Questionnaires, interviews and document review were the main data collection methods. Findings from this study indicate that banks in Uganda use a handful of DFS business models and face a number of DFS risks including; talent for DFS, technology, strategy, governance, product, client acquisition, crime/fraud, regulation, and agent management among others. Notwithstanding, Ugandan banks should carefully balance IT spend across customer expectations, improve cybersecurity and internal process and regularly check its IT security. Keywords: E-Risk, Digital Financial Services, Digital Risk Management, Bank Risk Management, Information Security, Cybersecurity