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Indonesia issues world’s first blockchain sukuk
Indonesian Islamic microfinance cooperative BMT Bina Ummah has raised 710 million rupiah ($50,000) through the world's first primary sukuk issuance on a public blockchain and also the world's first micro sukuk.
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- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Taking the Pulse of the Global Inclusive Finance Industry: A Preview of European Microfinance Week 2019
European Microfinance Week 2019 is coming soon, and with hundreds of global financial inclusion experts, policy-makers and investors in attendance, the event offers a unique opportunity to take the pulse of the industry. In previewing the conference agenda, e-MFP's Niamh Watters explains how it reflects the topics that are driving discussion in global microfinance, and the key players, insights and innovations that are shaping its future. As a media partner, NextBillion will provide live coverage of the event, and we’ll be giving away a free ticket through our e-newsletter on Oct. 16.
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- Finance
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He Grew Up on a Farm. Now, He Helps Protect Them.
Thomas Njeru is a co-founder of a microinsurance firm based in Kenya that covers small farms across Africa and provides protection for low-income individuals who do not have access to conventional coverage.
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- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The Stories That Change Our World: How Narrative Fiction Can Take the Development Sector to Greater Social Impact
Women's empowerment programs can play a critical role in improving lives and building local economies. But their impact will be limited unless there are changes in the social norms that perpetuate traditional gender roles. According to social impact producer Lara Storm, that's where narrative fiction can help. She explores how effective storytelling – from radio programs to soap operas – is being used to raise awareness around social issues and foster lasting change.
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- Finance
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Press Release: Kiva Deploys $1 Billion in Loans to Female Entrepreneurs Around the World
“The strength of these women who’ve put Kiva loans to work to benefit themselves and their communities is the reason that we exist today,” said Goldie Chow, Director of Impact at Kiva. “We will continue to empower female entrepreneurship, and do all that we can to generate greater financial inclusion for the next generation of female entrepreneurs worldwide.”
- Source
- Press Release
- Categories
- Finance
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Inside-Out: The Good and the Bad of insight2impact
Does this situation sound familiar? A development program generates lots of intriguing insights – but once it's over, these learnings end up languishing in a sparsely read report in the back pages of a website. That’s the scenario insight2impact (i2i) aims to avoid. As the program wraps up, i2i lead Hennie Bester describes how it's bringing the insights it has generated, from both successes and failures, to the organizations that can use them – including through a new partnership with NextBillion.
- Categories
- Finance
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Press Release: Bank of the West Invests $2 Million into Expanded Partnership with Grameen America
Once open, Grameen America's goal is to serve 500 women in its first year, disbursing $727,000 in microloans to low-income female entrepreneurs in Fresno. By year five, Grameen America aims to serve 7,000 women and cumulatively disburse $21 million in loans.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
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Digital Lending Apps Are Coming Under Scrutiny in East Africa for Predatory Practices
The latest challenge comes from Google, which has updated its app store developer policies to curb predatory lending practices.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa