84% of Women Entrepreneurs Embrace Digital Payments: DBS Study

By: Women Entrepreneurs Review Team | Wednesday, 1 July 2026

Digital finance is evolving into a key business enabler for Indian women entrepreneurs, moving well beyond basic payments to support credit access, investments, and business management, according to a new report, ‘The Digital Opportunity: Access, Adoption and Trust’, released by DBS Bank India in partnership with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP. Based on responses from 1,342 women across India, including entrepreneurs, high-net-worth (HNW) women, and rural earners, the study highlights growing digital financial adoption while identifying trust and security as persistent challenges.

Key Highlights

• 84% of women entrepreneurs use digital payment tools, with UPI leading adoption
• Digital finance usage is expanding into credit, investments, and business management
• Security, privacy, and fraud concerns continue to shape digital finance adoption

Women entrepreneurs emerged as the most active users of digital financial platforms among all groups surveyed. Around 84 per cent use digital payment tools, making them the most widely adopted financial service. However, their digital engagement now extends beyond transactions, with 38 per cent using digital loan and credit platforms and 29 per cent accessing brokerage platforms for investments. The findings indicate that women-led businesses are increasingly adopting digital finance to strengthen financial planning, improve access to capital, and support long-term growth.

UPI remains the most popular digital payment method across all segments. It is used by 77 per cent of HNW women, 72 per cent of women entrepreneurs, and 54 per cent of rural women earners, reinforcing its role as India's primary gateway to formal digital financial services. Despite this progress, cash continues to dominate rural transactions, with 77 per cent of rural women still relying on cash alongside digital payment methods.

The report also reveals that digital platforms are becoming essential business management tools. Among women entrepreneurs, 65 per cent use digital finance for staff salaries and contractor payments, while 53 per cent spend on digital marketing, branding, content creation, and customer acquisition. Another 37 per cent invest in software, technology tools and business platforms, reflecting a growing focus on productivity, operational efficiency and business expansion.

Credit card usage is also increasing among urban women entrepreneurs. Half of the respondents reported using personal credit cards frequently, either daily or several times a week. Usage rises to 65 per cent among entrepreneurs earning more than ₹10 lakh per month. Travel-related benefits, including hotel offers, air miles, airport lounge access, and travel insurance, remain the most preferred credit card rewards for both women entrepreneurs and HNW women.

Among rural women earners, 48 per cent use digital payment platforms, while 42 per cent access banking apps or websites. Educational attainment significantly influences adoption, with 72 per cent of graduates using digital payments compared with only 30 per cent of women educated up to the primary level.

Despite rising adoption, concerns around trust continue to hinder wider usage. About 62 per cent of women entrepreneurs cite data privacy and security as major concerns, while 46 per cent report having experienced digital fraud or financial scams. The findings suggest that improving cybersecurity, simplifying digital platforms, and strengthening financial literacy will be critical to sustaining women's participation in India's expanding digital financial ecosystem.