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Resolving Legal Disputes in Emerging Markets: What Social Entrepreneurs Should Know About International Arbitration
Though most social entrepreneurs would rather focus on growing their business than litigating a legal dispute, these issues can sometimes arise – especially when complex cross-border commerce is involved. Patrick Miller from P Miller Legal Services explains why international arbitration can be the best option in these situations. He explores the advantages of using this approach for dispute resolution, and discusses how it differs from standard business litigation – and why it can be particularly beneficial for social enterprises operating in emerging markets.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Leveraging Tech During the Pandemic: How Apps Can Protect Lives in Developing Countries
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, vulnerable communities in many developing countries are dealing with a lack of accurate information about the virus – and facing the broader challenge of limited healthcare access. Bowen Khong at ForexToStock profiles some organizations that have responded to these challenges with innovative, healthcare-focused apps. He explores how these apps are fighting misinformation and connecting people in hard-hit communities to the care they need, and explains why impact investors should keep a close eye on these health tech solutions.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Education, Health Care, Technology
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Climate-Positive Agriculture: How Investors Can Support Smallholder Farmers – While Also Regenerating the Environment
Global agricultural demand is expected to increase by about 50% from 2013 to 2050, as the world's population is projected to reach nearly 10 billion. Smallholder farmers in Africa and Latin America are well-positioned to meet this growing need – but expanding their current unsustainable farming practices could cause massive climate and environmental consequences. Bianca Samson, Flavia Howard and Kusi Hornberger at Dalberg share how investing in regenerative, climate-smart agriculture can boost food security and benefit smallholders, investors and the environment.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment, Investing
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Reimagining Agriculture in Kenya: Five Steps for Building Resilience and Food Security After a Catastrophic Year
Multiple crises in 2020 – from the COVID-19 pandemic to a desert locust upsurge and massive flash floods – served as a wake-up call about the fragility of Kenya's agricultural sector. And as Michael Omega, Daniel Kitwa and Racheal Wangari of Intellecap Africa explain, climate change makes future crises more likely, heightening the need for increased productivity and greater food security in the country. They explore five ways to reimagine Kenya’s agricultural value chain and food system, to build resilience and improve livelihoods for farmers and vulnerable communities.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus
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The COVID-19 Effect: Why Latin America Needs a Workplace Wellness Revolution – and How Technology Can Enable It
Remote work is growing in Latin America, as it is around the globe, and the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated this shift. But as Greg Mitchell of Angel Ventures explains, working from home combined with the stressors of the pandemic is causing increased anxiety and burnout for workers. He shares how many companies in the region are adopting digital solutions to support employee mental health — from on-demand counseling and monitoring services to apps and chatbots — and discusses the market potential for this burgeoning solution.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care, Technology
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Women Are Paying More for M-Pesa: A Gender Analysis of Mobile Money Fees in Kenya
The cost of using financial services is a key barrier to their adoption and use in low- and middle-income countries — and when it comes to mobile money transactions via M-Pesa in Kenya, those costs are greater for women, according to a recent study. Bryan Pon at Caribou Data shares details about the study's findings, and explains how understanding these gender differences could illuminate some of the obstacles women face when using digital financial services – and help inform policy or system design approaches that could address these challenges.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
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‘Back in the U.S.S.D.’: Most Smartphone Owners—Especially Women—Don’t Use Apps for Financial Services
The global transition from basic mobile phones to smartphones has impacted nearly every sector, including financial services. Bryan Pon from Caribou Data considers whether this shift will help or hinder access to mobile money and digital finance for women in emerging markets — a group already less likely to be using these services. He shares the findings of a comprehensive study on how payment system design could impact gender bias in digital finance, and discusses the ongoing popularity — and under-recognized advantages — of old-fashioned USSD codes in mobile money.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications, Transportation
- Tags
- data, financial inclusion, fintech
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10 Key Lessons for Solar Enterprises: Insights From SELCO’s 26 Years Doing Business in India
SELCO, a pioneering off-grid solar company based in India, just celebrated its 26th anniversary. Christine Eibs Singer at Sustainable Energy for All and Richenda Van Leeuwen at ANDE, both former board members at SELCO, share 10 lessons from the company's decades of experience in the sector, which may be helpful to other impact investors and social entrepreneurs working in off-grid energy.
- Categories
- Energy, Investing, Social Enterprise
