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Press Release: Asian Development Bank, KfW Partner To Boost COVID-19 Response and Financial Inclusion in Indonesia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and KfW, the German state-owned development bank, today signed agreements for €450 million (about $525 million) in cofinancing to improve Indonesia’s coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic response and enhance financial inclusion in the country.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Can Agile Fintech Startups Be the Answer To Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Crisis?
COVID-19 lockdowns have threatened small and medium enterprises and vulnerable families around the world. And as Malika Anand and Michelle Hassan at BFA Global point out, inclusive fintech startups are often better-placed than aid agencies to support communities and businesses in urban settlements during the pandemic. They explore how one innovative startup, Sokowatch, has developed a quick and effective way to fight food insecurity in Kibera, Nairobi – while also supporting small local retailers.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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Central Bank of Nigeria Disburses N374 Billion (USD 983 Million ) To Smallholder Farmers
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said it has funded smallholder farmers (SHFs) under the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to the tune of N374 billion across the cassava, maize, cotton and rice value chain from 2016 to date.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Analysis: COVID-19 and Fintech: Myanmar’s Chance To Expand Financial Inclusion?
Myanmar has seen an increase in financial technology (fintech) and digital payment offerings since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, raising hopes for the expansion of financial inclusion in a country where banking penetration remains below the regional average.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Analysis: Microfinance in Pakistan During COVID
With the June-end numbers for the microfinance sector now out, it is time to take an objective look at the initial impact of the pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Invest in Visions Mikrofinanzfonds Lends $36 Million To Indian MFIs Asirvad Microfinance, Sonata Finance
Both microfinance institutions serve low-income female customers in India, and as of June 2020, they intend to use the IIV funds to disburse microloans to their client base in order to encourage business expansion and entrepreneurship.
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Maintaining a Critical Link To Last-Mile Customers: Challenges and Opportunities Facing Financial Service Agents During COVID-19
Agents are a critical last-mile link to financial services for lower-income households and micro- and small enterprises. But as the COVID-19 crisis has spread globally, it has had a profound effect on how agents operate, introducing new restrictions – and new responsibilities. Nisha Singh and James Robinson at Itad explore the findings from a recent report that highlights key strategies for building and managing high-performing agent networks despite the challenges of the pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Analysis: Digital Technology Is Stimulating Financial Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa
The widespread usage of digital technology in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is an essential phenomenon that fosters productivity in the digital economy and integrates markets in the region.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa