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What Helped CreditAccess Grameen Maintain ‘Good’ Liquidity Position Amid Lockdown
CreditAccess Grameen Ltd. said its liquidity position was “quite good” even as lenders stop loan collections amid a national lockdown to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Coronavirus Seen as Trigger for Mobile Money Growth in West Africa
Mobile money providers across Africa have reduced or waived transaction fees and governments are encouraging digital payments to reduce person-to-person contact and potentially slow the spread of the virus.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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From the Valley of Death to a $14 Million Series A: Sokowatch, Quona and the Role of Philanthropic Capital
The e-commerce company Sokowatch recently raised a $14 million Series A round, enabling it to expand its digital financial services to more merchants in Africa. But just two years ago, the company was in danger of going under. Malika Anand and Maelis Carraro at BFA’s Catalyst Fund discuss how the fund's philanthropically-funded acceleration approach has helped Sokowatch – and other promising fintech startups – survive the “valley of death” and position themselves for commercial investment.
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Press Release: Western Union Expands Its Digital Services
Western Union is continuing to expand digital services and account payout during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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When Digital Payment Waves Lead to ‘Unbanking’
Ironically, fintechs and cashless payment technologies who promise to ensure financial inclusion often achieve the opposite results.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Press Release: GSMA Report Highlights That Mobile Money Accounts Now Exceed One Billion Worldwide
The GSMA yesterday unveiled the annual ‘State of the Industry Report on Mobile Money’, offering a view of the mobile money landscape and highlighting the impact that greater financial inclusion has on lives, economies and innovation, especially in emerging markets.
- Categories
- Finance
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Financial Health and the Coronavirus: Another Failure to Prepare
Even before the coronavirus crisis, global financial health was surprisingly precarious, with many people unprepared to weather a significant financial shock. As Elisabeth Rhyne points out, this issue is becoming painfully clear now that the pandemic is causing mass disruptions in income and employment. She explores the lasting consequences this will have, and calls on policymakers to provide relief now – and to make financial health an urgent priority going forward.
- Categories
- Finance
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Mobile Money Providers Score a Major Win – But Are They at Risk of Losing it All?
According to the GSMA’s recently launched 2019 State of the Industry report, mobile money achieved some major milestones last year: There are now more than 1 billion accounts, and for the first time, the majority of transaction values are digital. But according to Arunjay Katakam, mobile money providers will soon face a new challenge that could upend their industry, as internet-based "over-the-top" payments providers are poised to transform the competitive landscape.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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