Information Technology (IT) is critical in shaping economies, societies, and industries across the globe. IT is continuing to change, from digital transformation to cyber-security, and from artificial intelligence (AI) to modeling the behavior of digital stakeholders and entities, but in many areas, especially developing economies, the lack of infrastructure, talent and digital equity creates many challenges. As industries embrace technological advances, we must assess how they interact with policy, governance, and social equity to ensure IT solutions are sustainable.
Recent research highlights increasing unease about cybersecurity, especially with bank transactions and data from e-commerce and FinTech, and given that disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence, cloud computing and blockchain are redefining business models and enabling novel customer interactions. However, in developing countries, the barriers of having literacy, limited access, and IT infrastructure, stipulate limitations on the use of these technologies. However, in developing countries, the barriers of digital literacy, internet access, and IT infrastructure restrict the full utilization of these technologies. There is an urgency to assess how these technologies can be utilized wisely to provide better economic outputs, reduce inequality, and produce reforms in governance.
As the FinTech sector continues to grow, the issue of cybersecurity has emerged as a critical one in emerging markets, whereby many financial institutions are susceptible to a range of cyberthreats due to their blatant exposure to these threats as they engage with digital technologies. This topic will closely assess the particular threats to businesses in emerging markets and the opportunities to strengthen cybersecurity regimes.
What cybersecurity threats are specific to the FinTech sector in emerging markets?
How effective are current regulatory frameworks at responding to cybersecurity threats in emerging markets?
What opportunities are there for FinTech companies to consolidate their cybersecurity strategies while also innovating, growing, and competing?
Support the formulation of regional regulations and policies to address cybersecurity.
Provide FinTech companies strategies to counter cyber threats in emerging economies.
Identify gaps regarding cybersecurity awareness and training programs in the financial sector.
Johnson, R., & Patel, M. (2025). Cybersecurity in Emerging Markets: An Analysis of the FinTech Sector. International Journal of Cybersecurity, 15(2), 120-135.
Sharma, D., & Mehta, S. (2024). Risk Management in FinTech: Security, Compliance, and Governance. Journal of Financial Technologies, 8(1), 45-67.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has tremendous potential to disrupt health care, from diagnosis to the development of treatment plans. Nevertheless, the barriers to enabling AI healthcare systems in low-resource countries are equally large, including cost, human nature, access to personnel, and infrastructure. This study will investigate how to usher AI into healthcare systems in low-resource contexts.
What are the key barriers to the adoption AI in healthcare systems in developing economies?
How can AI into health care improve access, delivery and health outcomes in rural and underserved communities?
What policy implications need to be modified to infuse AI into healthcare systems?
Develop and describe scenarios for the integration of AI in healthcare systems to support access and efficiency.
Policy recommendation to increase AI in health service systems.
Identify ethical aspects around the infusion of AI into healthcare service delivery.
Kumar, A., & Singh, P. (2025). AI in Healthcare: Challenges and Opportunities in Low-Income Countries. Journal of Health Informatics, 20(1), 72-90.
Ahmed, R., & Rao, K. (2024). Ethical Considerations in AI Health Applications: A Global Perspective. International Journal of Medical AI, 12(3), 100-118.
Blockchain technology can dramatically change financial systems by using decentralization and security to move disclosure and access to financial systems. However, blockchain adoption is slow in many developing nations. This dissertation will investigate how blockchain can be successfully adopted and implemented for financial inclusion purposes and improving governance in financial systems.
What are the barriers to blockchain adoption for financial institutions in the developing world?
How can blockchain fulfill the growing need for financial inclusion for unbanked populations?
What may be the policies and regulations that will facilitate the use of blockchain in national financial systems?
Help support financial inclusion policy and strategizing around blockchain adoption.
Help provide practical, real-world solutions on how financial institutions may incorporate blockchain technology.
Help support the broader conversation around governance and financial equality with blockchain technology, globally.
Nelson, J., & Kanu, T. (2025). Blockchain for Financial Inclusion: Overcoming Barriers in Developing Countries. Journal of Blockchain Studies, 9(2), 56-70.
Williams, A., & Omar, I. (2024). Blockchain for Transparency and Inclusion: A Case Study in Africa. Journal of Digital Governance, 13(4), 98-115.
Digital literacy remains a major inhibitor to engaging with services, employment and economic opportunity for many rural areas of the developing world. Improving digital literacy could open significant new economic opportunities for rural areas. This topic will discuss how digital literacy could be supported and enhance economic development in rural, under-resourced communities.
What is the potential impact of digital literacy on economic opportunities for rural communities?
What have been the most useful digital literacy programs in developing countries?
Where can government and/or private sector assistance add value to develop digital literacy strategies?
Will be able to provide useful reference points for government policy to achieve digital literacy.
Can outline best practices on digital literacy strategies at the community level.
Consider the relationship of digital skills to entrepreneurship in rural economies.
Chika, M., & Seun, O. (2025). Digital Literacy and Rural Economic Development: Challenges and Solutions. Journal of Rural Economics, 21(2), 45-61.
Patil, V., & Rathi, S. (2024). Digital Skills for Rural Communities: Bridging the Gap to Economic Empowerment. Journal of Information Technology for Development, 16(3), 80-95.
The IT field is full of options for innovation or development, especially in developing countries. By concentrating on cybersecurity, AI, blockchain, and digital literacy, these dissertation topics will focus on leveraging technology as a mechanism to solve the problems presented to developing nations while allowing them to be involved in helping design policies to build IT systems that are inclusive, sustainable, and just.