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Bridging the Last Mile(s) – Building Value Chains for Energy Access
Many companies and foundations have spent considerable resources perfecting new designs and innovative models of products for the BoP. But recently, many have started tackling the other side of the challenge: taking the products to market. Tallberg Foundation is partnering with a women’s self-help group to build a large scale distribution network.
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Green Shoots: The Best of March on NextBillion
In March - at least in this hemisphere - our thoughts turned to spring’s green shoots and starting anew. Though we didn’t necessarily plan it this way, many NextBillion articles examined the challenges faced by farmers, value chains and the role of large agri-business last month, and were among the most-read posts.
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Exploring Entrepreneurship In Nigeria
In February, the Entrepreneurial Finance Lab officially entered the Nigerian market. Often misunderstood, and more often feared, Nigeria is a country brimming with entrepreneurial energy and latent demand for financing. Following a devastating financial crisis triggered by events overseas, Nigeria’s financial sector is just now re-emerging.
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Moving Beyond Microcredit – While Keeping Lending Costs In Check
The microfinance sector needs to move beyond microcredit. Yet, how can it reduce costs and expand offerings? How will MFIs encourage the poor to save for the long run? Can programs like match savings and financial education have an impact on behavior? Mary Ellen Iskenderian, President and CEO of Women’s World Banking, answers some tough questions.
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Seeking Innovation? Search Out the Deviants
Researchers refer to "positive deviants" those who demonstrate uncommon but successful behaviors. While subject to the same resource constraints as their peers, they practice rare behaviors with dramatically better outcomes. They exhibit a distinctly bottom-up approach to development
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NexThought Monday: Building Bridges Among Constituencies to End Poverty
In the aftermath of the global financial crisis, old rivalries have re-emerged. On one side are those who champion market-based solutions; on the other we find entities advocating institutional reform and social policies for economic growth. Regardless of who wins, the poor will lose, unless the solutions are as multifaceted as the problems.
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Friday Roundup ? 4/08/11: Honoring Prahalad
Next week marks the one-year anniversary of C.K. Prahalad’s untimely death. And two universities are working to honor and advance his legacy and philosophy that business can address social challenges on a global scale.
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Is 2011 Ghana’s 1978? New National Pension Fund Scheme Could Repeat History
In 1978, U.S. regulations changed to allow pension funds to invest in private equity (PE) firms, including venture capital groups, creating a tsunami of capital to new and growing firms. This year, key changes from Ghana’s 2008 pension law come into effect that might lead to a similar explosion in private equity and venture capital.
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