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Is Latin America and the Caribbean Really Just 1% Circular?: A New Report Highlights the Hidden Role of Informal Workers in the Circular Economy
Latin America and the Caribbean is 1% circular — far below the global average of 7.2% — according to a recent Circle Economy Foundation report. That means just 1% of all the materials flowing through the region’s economy get a second life through repair, recycling or other means. But Ana Birliga Sutherland and Esther Goodwin Brown at Circle Economy Foundation explain that this number doesn't reflect the contributions of informal workers. They discuss the key role these workers play in the circular economy, and the need for more data and other efforts to support them.
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- Environment, WASH
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Achieving the Latina American Dream: How Entrepreneurship Can Empower Latin American Migrant Women and Their Communities
Latin American migrant women in the U.S. have the potential to be drivers of economic growth for themselves, their families, their communities and their countries — both native and naturalized. But as Carmen Correa at Pro Mujer explains, they often lack the tools and opportunities they need to build successful livelihoods, while facing unique obstacles. She explores why entrepreneurship provides a solution to these challenges, and discusses a free skilling platform that Pro Mujer offers to support Latina migrants in their entrepreneurial journey.
- Categories
- Finance
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Making Africa the Animation Capital of the World: A Growing Industry Aims to Take its Place Among its Global Peers
Africa has a rich history in storytelling, as the continent was the site of some of the earliest forms of human creativity. But when it comes to animated works, it has historically been overshadowed by traditional animation powerhouses in the Global North. However, according to Abdulrahman Khedr at Egypt-based animation studio Giraffics, that's beginning to change. He explores how African creators are carving out a unique niche in the animation world, gaining international recognition and bringing substantial economic benefits to the continent.
- Categories
- Technology
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The Next Generation of DFI Technical Assistance: Why it’s Time for Development Finance Institutions to Take a Standardised Approach
Development finance institution technical assistance (DFI TA) has expanded greatly in scope and scale in recent years. But Johanna Strikwerda and Justin van Rhyn argue that a lack of standardization in TA approaches has made it hard for DFIs to coordinate their efforts, share best practices and maximize their effectiveness. In this article — the second in a two-part series exploring the uses of TA in development finance — they explore the benefits of a more standardized approach to TA design, delivery and results measurement, and highlight some ways DFIs can move toward this standardization.
- Categories
- Investing
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Empowering Emerging Fund Managers in Underserved Markets: The Role of Development Finance Technical Assistance
Emerging fund managers and other capital allocators play a vital role in addressing the "missing middle" financing gap in underserved markets. But as Robert Haynie and Justin van Rhyn point out, the demand for this funding vastly outweighs the current supply. In this article — the first in a two-part series exploring the uses of technical assistance (TA) in development finance — they explore how development finance institutions can leverage TA to meet the earlier-stage financing needs of missing middle businesses and improve the pipeline for later-stage investors.
- Categories
- Investing
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Achieving the SDGs in the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries: Why the Private Sector Must Recommit to Financing Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States
It's widely recognized that the world is not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. And as Isabella Massa and Samory Toure at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network explain, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing unique obstacles to their SDG agendas. They explore the economic, geophysical and environmental vulnerabilities that SIDS face, and call for the private sector to step up its commitment to financing SDG progress in these countries.
- Categories
- Environment, Investing
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The Rise of Embedded Finance in Africa: Three Fintech Innovators Highlight its Potential to Boost Financial Inclusion and Business Growth on the Continent
In Egypt and other African countries, recent years have seen growing usage of fintech tools to boost financial inclusion. Basil Moftah at Nclude explores the impact of one such tool: embedded finance, in which a financial product is placed within a non-financial product, customer experience or platform. He discusses how the emergence of embedded finance is revolutionizing business operations and providing a catalyst for digitization and growth, across sectors ranging from hospitality to agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
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- Finance
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Financing Women- Owned or -Led SMEs for Sustainable Growth: Navigating Capital Supply Side Challenges in Africa
One in four African women owns or manages a business, and in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the rates of entrepreneurial activity among women rise to 30-50%. But as Nathalie Gogue-Ebo and Katharina Weber at Open Capital point out, just 6% of funding in the region goes to women- owned or -led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs), limiting these businesses' growth potential. They discuss the factors that are preventing investors from supporting WSMEs, and share some potential solutions.
- Categories
- Investing