This systematic review synthesizes 40 peer-reviewed studies to examine the role of inclusive finance and institutional governance in FinTech adoption in Pakistan's banking sector. While user-centric behavioural models are the dominant narrative in global discourse, this review highlights the underappreciated role of institutional trust, regulatory design, and structural inclusion in the scalability of FinTech ecosystems. The paper identifies four thematic clusters using PRISMA and TCCM frameworks, namely, user-level drivers, governance enablers, financial inclusion mechanisms, and integrated adoption frameworks. Findings suggest that inclusion should be reimagined not just as an objective but also as a prerequisite to digital finance, and quality of governance directly moderates trust and adoption behaviour. The study presents an original conceptual framework that links ecosystem-level conditions and adoption dynamics, highlighting the need for multi-level theoretical approaches that incorporate behavioural, institutional, and infrastructural dimensions. Implications are drawn for policymakers, FinTech innovators, and financial regulators who are looking for inclusive, trusted, and sustainable digital finance solutions in emerging markets.
