Abstract: This study examined the relationship between financial literacy and debt-related stress among motorcycle taxi riders in Lang’ata Constituency, Nairobi County, Kenya. It was motivated by the growing reliance on short-term borrowing and the financial vulnerability created by irregular income, high operating costs, and wider access to digital credit. The study examined budgeting behavior, saving behavior, financial planning practices, and debt management practices in relation to debt-related stress. It was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, Behavioral Finance Theory, and the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping. An embedded mixed-methods design was adopted. A sample of 422 riders was determined using Cochran’s formula and selected through cluster and simple random sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires, 12 semi-structured interviews, and three focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Debt prevalence was 86.7%, with school fees and household expenses accounting for most current debt. Overall debt-related stress was high (M = 3.87), and debt management stress had the highest construct mean (M = 3.91). Budgeting behavior was positively related to budgeting stress (r = .203, R² = .041, p < .001). Saving behavior (r = -.197, R² = .039, p < .001) and financial planning (r = -.307, R² = .094, p < .001) had significant protective relationships with stress. Debt management practices were positively related to debt management stress (r = .231, R² = .053, p < .001), reflecting reactive management under pressure. The study concludes that financial access has outpaced practical financial capability among informal transport workers. It recommends context-specific financial planning, emergency savings, responsible credit products, and integrated financial and psychological counselling.

Abstract: The general objective of this study was to assess the effect of financial literacy on performance of selected SMEs in Gasabo District, Rwanda. The study was anchored on Social Learning Theory, Behavioural Finance Theory, and Knowledge Spillover Theory. Descriptive and correlational research designs were applied. The target population comprised 592 registered SMEs in Gasabo District, from which a sample of 239 respondents was selected using Slovin’s formula and simple random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, while SPSS version 25 was used for descriptive, correlation, and regression analysis. The response rate was 91.20%, as 218 questionnaires were returned out of 239 distributed. The findings showed that book keeping had a positive and statistically significant effect on SME performance (B = 0.258, t = 6.999, p = 0.000). Financial planning had the strongest positive and statistically significant effect on SME performance (B = 0.530, t = 12.766, p = 0.000). Debt management also had a positive and statistically significant effect on SME performance (B = 0.228, t = 6.331, p = 0.000). The study concluded that financial literacy significantly improves financial management practices and enhances the performance of selected SMEs in Gasabo District. The study recommended that SME owners should strengthen financial planning, maintain proper financial records, and apply responsible debt management, while financial institutions and government stakeholders should provide targeted financial literacy training programmes to support SME growth.

Abstract: The goal of the study was to assess the effect of financial literacy on the operational performance of SMEs in