Question

Read the passage below carefully:

Over the past decade, financial inclusion across sub-Saharan Africa has undergone a radical transformation, driven primarily by the rapid expansion of agent banking networks rather than traditional brick-and-mortar financial institutions. In regions like Northern Nigeria, commercial banks historically struggled to justify the high capital expenditure required to establish physical branches in remote rural communities. Consequently, millions of micro-entrepreneurs were excluded from the formal economy, relying solely on cash transactions and vulnerable informal savings collectors. The emergence of agency banking has dismantled these barriers by empowering local shopkeepers and community vendors to act as human ATMs, facilitating cash deposits, withdrawals, and digital fund transfers through handheld point-of-sale terminals. While supporters frequently highlight the ancillary benefits of agency banking—such as creating secondary income streams for local merchants and boosting foot traffic for small retail shops—the fundamental significance of this model lies in its ability to integrate marginalized populations into the national financial framework. By providing accessible financial touchpoints, agent banking drastically lowers transaction costs and mitigates the security risks associated with holding physical cash, thereby anchoring rural economic resilience.

Which of the following statements best captures the core thesis of the passage while excluding supporting details?