-
From People to Packages: How a Nigerian Ride-Hailing Business Weathered the Pandemic by Shifting to Last-Mile Delivery
The effects of COVID-19 have impacted business around the world, and consumer-focused sectors in Africa have faced particular challenges. As Nikhil Goel at Gokada explains, the crisis has exposed the urgent need for digital-first approaches to work, shopping and other aspects of daily life – and opened new opportunities for nimble enterprises that can tap into this growing demand. He explores how Gokada has successfully navigated the pandemic by shifting its business model from ride-sharing to last-mile delivery.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
-
Announcing NextBillion’s Most Influential Articles of 2021
At the end of each year, NextBillion selects our 12 most-read articles from the previous 12 months, and invites readers to vote for the pieces that impacted them the most. We've counted the votes, and we’re happy to announce our three most influential articles of 2021. We’d like to congratulate the winners and all the contestants in this contest – along with everyone who read and wrote for NextBillion last year. We wish you a healthy, happy and prosperous 2022.
- Categories
- Energy, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Impact Assessment, Investing, NextBillion Originals
-
Vote for NextBillion’s Most Influential Article of 2021
As an open forum for emerging markets business, NextBillion publishes around 150 original, guest-written articles per year, covering enterprises, innovations, challenges and opportunities across multiple sectors and geographies. Each December we select the 12 most-read articles of the past year to include in our "Most Influential Article of the Year" contest. We invite you to vote for the article that impacted you the most in 2021. You can vote up to one time per hour during the two-week voting period, which runs from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2.
-
Accelerating Digital Transformation: Why Technology is the Key to Eliminating the MSME Finance Gap in Emerging Markets
According to the IFC, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets face a finance gap of $5.2 trillion every year. Since MSMEs are responsible for 70% of job opportunities in these countries, this gap must be addressed. According to Brian Pallas at Opportunity Network, that’s where digital technologies can offer a solution. He explores how emerging innovations offer alternative, tech-enabled means of financing for MSMEs, and how business leaders and policymakers can support these enterprises' digital transformation.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance, Technology
-
Universal Energy Access is Within Reach — If the Sector Survives COVID-19: Here’s How Funders Can Help
Before COVID-19 struck, the energy access sector was booming, delivering renewable power to 470 million people, creating 370,000 jobs and avoiding 74 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade. But as Sarah Bieber at Acumen and Henry Gonzalez at Green Climate Fund point out, the pandemic has put that progress at risk, as dwindling investment, decreased customer income and dramatic price increases have created a crisis for energy access companies. They explore how funders can help get the sector back on track.
-
Scale Is Overrated: Why the ‘Unicorn Industrial Complex’ is Holding Back Social Enterprise and Emerging Markets Business
Social enterprises and small and growing businesses (SGBs) are the focus of a lot of discussion and excitement in the development sector, as seen in recent SGB coverage on NextBillion and other publications. But Jack Foreman at Foresee Advisors argues that this discussion ignores the needs – and essential natures – of the vast majority of these businesses, particularly in emerging markets. He explains why the focus on scale – and investors' search for the next potential "unicorn" startup – overlook the crucial importance of SMEs that are content to remain small or medium-sized.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Investing
-
India’s Unconventional COVID-19 Recovery: How Platformization and Digitalisation Can Build an Inclusive Post-Pandemic Economy
Most of India's labour force is employed in the informal sector, and these workers have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic: Over 78% of them lost their livelihoods in the initial lockdown, and many remain unemployed or underemployed. But Chhavi Banswal at Ola Mobility Institute highlights a silver lining behind these dark clouds – accelerated digitalisation and platformization. She explores how gig/platform workers have become a key part of the country's economy, and discusses a recent report showing how digital platforms can expand employment opportunities for all.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance, Technology
-
The Ins and Outs of Launching a Digital Savings Product in Kenya: Regulatory Guidance for Fintech Startups
Kenya is among the most advanced markets in the world in terms of fintech innovation and digital financial services. But according to Abby Butkus at BFA Global's Catalyst Fund, this innovation has yet to extend to digital savings, where the uncertain regulatory environment requires startups to be creative in their approach. She discusses four ways startups are approaching the regulatory process for their digital savings products, and shares a set of guides Catalyst Fund has released to aid founders in navigating the regulatory environments in Kenya and other countries.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
Parent Organization
Partners
Recent Contributors
-
@NextBillion (link opens in a new window)
.@InstiglioInc (link opens in a new window) analysts share insights from the 9 #nonprofits (link opens in a new window) in #Kenya (link opens in a new window) and #Rwanda (link opens in a new window) that received #funding (link opens in a new window) from its… https://t.co/DmLb2q9gl5 (link opens in a new window) -
@NextBillion (link opens in a new window)
News Via @GlobaldevB (link opens in a new window): #Automation (link opens in a new window) and #Employment (link opens in a new window) in #LatinAmerica (link opens in a new window): https://t.co/Zm9Jg1FsW3 (link opens in a new window) #socimp (link opens in a new window) #education (link opens in a new window) -
@NextBillion (link opens in a new window)
The Key Ingredients of #COVID19 (link opens in a new window) Adaptation: How Non-Profits Leveraged Flexible #Funding (link opens in a new window) to Navigate the Pandemic… https://t.co/A77pzcs3Tj (link opens in a new window)
