Our study focusses on the sustainable finance framework of the European Union. Given that the concept, target system and practical implementation of sustainability have become one of the top priorities, we consider it important to present in an understandable and simple form what activities and regulations have been created in this regard within the scope of the European Union’s common policy. Starting from the concept of sustainability, we analyse its significance. We examine the economic, social, corporate governance and environmental pillars and the European Green Deal based on them as foundations, as well as some prominent elements of sustainable finance: the Taxonomy, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation and the Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. We review the relationships and interactions of the above elements. We describe the sustainability objectives of the European Green Deal and the resources related to them, as well as the Sustainable Finance package of the European Commission. We also provide an overview of the regulatory details of the above-mentioned elements of EU law, thereby making the complex and complicated process of regulation transparent. These issues are relevant to Hungary and other EU member states located in Central and Eastern Europe and they have an effect on their policies.

Introduction: The digital era has ushered in transformative changes across industries, with the real estate sector being a pivotal focus. In Guangdong Province, China, real estate enterprises are at the forefront of this digital revolution, navigating the complexities of technological integration and market adaptation. This study delves into the intricacies of digital transformation and its profound implications for the financial performance of these enterprises. The rapid evolution of digital technologies necessitates examining how such advancements redefine operational strategies and financial outcomes within the real estate landscape. The inclusion of government support as a variable in our study is deliberate and stems from its profound influence on shaping the digital landscape. Government policies and initiatives provide a regulatory framework and offer strategic direction and financial incentives that catalyze digital adoption and integration within the real estate sector. By examining the moderating effect of government support, this study aims to uncover the nuanced interplay between policy-driven environments and the financial performance of enterprises undergoing digital transformation. This exploration is essential to understanding the broader implications of public policy on private-sector innovation and growth. Objectives: The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of digital transformation on the financial performance of Guangdong’s real estate enterprises, with a specific focus on return on equity (ROE) and return on assets (ROA). Additionally, this study aims to scrutinize the role of government support as a potential moderator in the relationship between digital transformation and financial success. The research seeks to provide actionable insights for policymakers and industry players by understanding these dynamics. The digital transformation of Guangdong’s real estate sector presents a complex landscape of challenges and opportunities that shape the industry’s evolution. On one hand, the integration of innovative digital technologies into established operational frameworks poses significant challenges. These include the need for substantial investment in new infrastructure, the imperative for a cultural shift towards digital literacy across the workforce, and the continuous demand for upskilling to remain agile in an increasingly digital market. On the other hand, digital transformation affords manifold opportunities. For instance, enhanced operational efficiencies through automation and data analytics offer substantial benefits in terms of cost savings and process optimization. Furthermore, leveraging data-driven insights enables more informed strategic decision-making, which is critical in a competitive real estate market. The capacity to innovate service offerings by tapping into digital platforms and customer relationship management systems also presents a significant opportunity for real estate enterprises to differentiate themselves and capture new market segments. Methods: This study explores the digital transformation of real estate firms in Guangdong, highlighting government support as a critical moderator. Findings show that digital initiatives improve company performance, with government backing amplifying these benefits. Regional disparities in support suggest a need for tailored strategies, indicating the importance of policy in driving digital adoption and innovation in the sector. The study advises firms to leverage local policies and policymakers to address regional imbalances for equitable digital transformation. This study uses a sample of 28 real estate enterprises in Guangdong Province from 2012 to 2022. Panel data analysis with a fixed effects model tests the hypotheses. The study also conducts robustness checks by replacing the key variables. Results: The findings indicate that digital transfo

The objective of the research is twofold. The study examines the role of public finance in promoting sustainable development in SSA. Secondly, the study investigates the optimal level of public finance beyond which public finance crowds out investment and hinders sustainable development in SSA. The study adopts a battery of econometric techniques such as the traditional ordinary least square (OLS) estimation technique, Driscoll-Kraay covariance matrix estimator, and the dynamic panel threshold model. The study found that an increase in public debts lead to a decline in sustainable development. In contrast, the results show that increase in spending on health and education, and tax can engender sustainable development in SSA. Further, we uncover the optimal levels of public spending on health and education, and public debts that engenders sustainable development in SSA. One main implication of the findings is that governments across SSA needs to reduce public debts levels and increase public spending on health and education to within the threshold levels established in this study to aid sustainable development in SSA.

The article presents a study of the connectivity and integration of sovereign bond and stock markets in 10 BRICS+ countries in the context of crisis instabilities in 2019−2024. Financial markets are becoming more integrated, and an increasing share of public investments are carried out across borders, which increases not only the opportunities for participants, but also the risks of a new crisis. The work used data on central bank rates of the considered countries, yield indices of 10-year government bonds, gold and Brent oil prices. The methods include the analysis of exchange rate dynamics, connectivity estimates based on the multivariate concordance coefficient and two-factor Friedman rank variance analysis, VAR models, Granger predictability and cointegration. The objective of this study is to analyze the interrelationship and cointegration between the sovereign bond and equity markets of selected BRICS+ countries during crisis periods. Our findings indicate that market interrelationship intensifies during crises, which in turn amplifies volatility. Additionally, we observed that none of the economies within the BRICS+ group can be classified as fully integrated or entirely isolated markets. The disruption of the interrelationship in the sovereign bond markets of the group is primarily reflected in the inconsistency of dynamic changes between Russia, China, and India. During the global shock of 2019–2020, the crisis spread from China, followed by Indonesia, and later to the other countries of the group. The financial and debt markets of the sampled countries were able to quickly cope with the severe shocks of the COVID-2019 period. The 2022–2024 crisis, which lasted significantly longer, began in Russia before spreading to countries across Asia and Africa. By 2024, Russia’s sovereign bond yields showed a marked decline. The increased market volatility following 2022 disrupted the integration and interrelationship of the stock and debt markets within the BRICS+ countries.

This study examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) enhances Sharia compliance within Islamic Financial Institutions (IFIs) by improving operational efficiency, ensuring transparency, and addressing ethical and technical challenges. A quantitative survey across five Saudi regions resulted in 450 validated responses, analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and regression models. The findings reveal that while AI significantly enhances transparency and compliance processes, its impact on operational efficiency is limited. Key barriers include high implementation costs, insufficient structured Sharia datasets, and integration complexities. Regional and professional differences further underscore the need for tailored adoption strategies. It introduces a novel framework integrating ethical governance, Sharia compliance, and operational scalability, addressing critical gaps in the literature. It offers actionable recommendations for AI adoption in Islamic finance and contributes to the global discourse on ethical AI practices. However, the Saudi-specific focus highlights regional dynamics that may limit broader applicability. Future research could extend these findings through cross-regional comparisons to validate and refine the proposed framework. By fostering transparency and ethical governance, AI integration aligns Islamic finance with socio-economic goals, enhancing stakeholder trust and financial inclusivity. The study emphasizes the need for targeted AI training, the development of structured Sharia datasets, and scalable solutions to overcome adoption challenges.

Despite its leading role in the urban transport system, paratransit is accused of being unsustainable and hostile to modernity. The reform of the sector is necessary in the context of the modernization of the transport system of African cities. It requires the formalization of actors through technical and financial support such as fleet renewal projects. This article attempts to analyze the financing process and the level of formalism of the operators constituted within the AFTU in the context of the financing operation of paratransit operators in Dakar, Senegal. The methodological approach adopted is based on the analysis of qualitative data from questionnaire surveys carried out in the AFTU network in Dakar; official documents¹ were also used. The results show that the Dakar financing model put in place has made it possible to make significant progress in the reorganization of paratransit professionals. In addition to the concessioned lines, a salaried system was introduced, pricing is now official and the standardized ticketing system has been put in place. Nevertheless, improvements are expected on the working conditions of employees, the capacity building of actors and the evolution of the legal status of companies.