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DOGE is WEIRD: Why India’s Public Sector Consulting Ecosystem Should Not Follow in America’s Footsteps
As part of its efforts to reduce U.S. government spending, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has taken aim at public expenditures going to private consulting firms. According to Manoshij Banerjee, and Mohammed Shahid Abdulla at IIM Kozhikode, this could inspire similar efforts in emerging markets like India, fundamentally reshaping how these governments approach external expertise. They argue that this would be a mistake, explaining why DOGE's approach is “WEIRD” (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic), and why it would be counterproductive to apply it to India’s unique governance landscape.
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- Uncategorized
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The Transformative Impact of Remote Work: How Online Jobs are Empowering Workers in Emerging Markets
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the largest shakeup in workforce culture since the emergence of the internet, with companies and workers embracing remote and hybrid approaches. According to Namya Sethi at Girl Power Talk, this shift continues to affect many professions years later, and these changes are having an especially pronounced effect in emerging economies. She explores how remote work is connecting global employers to local talent in emerging markets, and discusses the impacts this is having on workers, companies and business ecosystems.
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- Education, Technology
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Innovating in Impact Measurement: A Tech-Driven Platform Aims to Simplify Data Collection and Reporting
Studies indicate that around 65% of social enterprises engage in some form of social impact measurement. However, as Hana Stelzerova at Impactso points out, the depth and rigor of these measurements can vary significantly, and many organizations and initiatives struggle to implement more thorough and standardized evaluation methods. She discusses the challenges of measuring impact, and explores how innovative technologies can be leveraged to revolutionize the process for organizations across the sector.
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- Social Enterprise, Technology
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Revitalizing Off-Grid Solar: Why Africa’s PAYGo Sector is Ready for a New Dawn
Africa's off-grid solar sector, particularly pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar, has passed through a period of disillusionment among investors, as profitability has remained elusive. But as Chris Emmott at Acumen, Audrey Desiderato at Mirova and Bankole Cardoso at Delta40 Venture Studio argue, the sector nevertheless stands on the cusp of becoming a mature industry with real and sustainable impact. They explain why they remain optimistic about the future of PAYGo solar as impact investors, and why it's time for honest conversations and compromise from all stakeholders — including companies and their investors — about how the industry can move into the next stage of its development.
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- Energy, Environment, Finance, Investing, Technology
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Disrupting Waste Management in Emerging Markets: Four Lessons for Strengthening Businesses While Empowering Women and Communities
Early-stage companies in emerging markets whose workforces and value chains are dependent on women face several common challenges. According to Yaquta Fatehi at the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan and John F. Akwetey, these issues are especially relevant in the waste management sector. They share insights from a study of waste management businesses and practices in Kenya, which show the impacts of treating women’s empowerment and community engagement as integral elements of business strategies rather than peripheral concerns.
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Lessons from a Decade of Investing in a Frontier Market: What Impact Investors Can Learn from Nepal’s First International Private Equity Fund
Over a decade ago, the first international private equity and impact fund dedicated to Nepal – Dolma Impact Fund — was launched. As Tim Gocher at Dolma Fund Management explains, in those days it was rare for Nepalese companies to receive any foreign direct investment, let alone institutional private equity or impact capital. He discusses the challenges Dolma experienced in bringing private equity investment to Nepal, and shares key lessons for other impact investors looking to enter frontier markets.
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- Energy, Environment, Investing
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Building Better Business Advisory Programs: Five Lessons from an Inclusive Marketing Bootcamp
Inclusive business models involve integrating low-income communities into the value chain as suppliers, distributors, retailers or consumers. As this approach has gained traction, advisory programs have emerged to help companies adopt and scale these practices. Beryl Oyier, Catherine Mwangi, Eyerusalem Mitiku and Rakib Hasan Rabbi at Bopinc share insights from an inclusive marketing program in Africa, highlighting five key lessons for designing more impactful inclusive business advisory programs.
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- Agriculture, Social Enterprise
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It’s Time to Talk about Founder Wellbeing in Africa: A Landmark Survey Highlights the Need for Greater Support
The pressure of building a successful business takes a mental, emotional and physical toll on entrepreneurs, and this can affect their business outcomes if they don’t make their own wellbeing a priority. Yet as Stella Klemperer at Flourish Ventures argues, the topic of founder wellbeing has not been given the attention it deserves. She shares insights from the first large-scale survey of entrepreneurs’ journey and wellbeing in Africa, including nearly 200 startup founders across 13 countries. As she explains, this research shows why supporting entrepreneurs' wellbeing is a strategic imperative for investors, founders and other stakeholders.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
- Tags
- impact investing, research, startups
