RECONFIGURING HOSPITALITY FINANCE THROUGH FINTECH: THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF PAYMENT GATEWAYS IN REVENUE OPTIMIZATION AND COST EFFICIENCY IN IKEJA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS STATE.

Abstract

Hospitality firms in emerging economies often rely on manual and fragmented financial systems, limiting transparency, cost control, and timely managerial decision-making. This study examines the impact of fintech-enabled payment gateway adoption on revenue performance and operational efficiency in hospitality enterprises located in Ikeja Local Government Area, Lagos State. Addressing this problem, the study investigates whether digital payment gateways enhance financial outcomes and serve as strategic financial tools. Anchored in Transaction Cost Theory, the Resource-Based View, and the Technology Acceptance Model, the study adopts a positivist, cross-sectional survey design. Quantitative data were collected from 108 hotels, restaurants, and tourism enterprises and analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression techniques. The findings indicate that payment gateway adoption significantly improves revenue generation, cost efficiency, and financial monitoring capabilities. The study recommends deeper integration of payment gateways into financial strategy, managerial training in data-driven decision-making, and supportive policy frameworks to accelerate fintech adoption in hospitality operations