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Subsidy and Synergy: How Philanthropy Can Complement Impact Investing More Effectively
The original goal of impact investing was to build out the funding spectrum between philanthropy and commercial investment. But according to Asad Mahmood at SIMA and Nanno Kleiterp, the arrival of private equity firms — promising scale and market-rate financial returns — has pulled all the sector's energy toward the commercial end of the spectrum. They explore the key role philanthropic subsidy has played in the development of emerging markets business, clarify some misconceptions about its role in impact investing, and propose some ways philanthropists and impact investors can better align their efforts.
- Categories
- Energy, Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise
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OPay Partners with AfriGOpay to Boost Digital Payments in Nigeria
AfriGO, Nigeria’s National Domestic Card Scheme aims to deepen financial inclusivity, by utilising innovative products, a customer-focused approach, and cutting-edge technology.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Teraco to Build JB7, a Vast New Data Centre for AI Workloads in South Africa
The new syndicated loan facility has been arranged through Absa — long a financial backer of Teraco — and other financial institutions, with the money to be used to finance JB7 and other construction projects.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- artificial intelligence, data, scale
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Viewpoint: Gender Equality Cannot Be Last on the Agenda at COP29 Climate Talks
Women can be powerful agents of climate action if included in decision-making processes and given access to the right resources.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Education, Energy, Environment, Finance, Health Care, Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology, Telecommunications, Transportation, WASH
- Region
- Global
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African NGO Wins Luxembourg’s €100,000 Microfinance Award
The European Microfinance Award, established in 2005 by Luxembourg’s foreign ministry is jointly organised with the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg (InFiNe) and the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP).
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Global
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Navigating the Financing Paradox for WSMEs: Workable Solutions for Increasing Financial Inclusion Among Women-Owned or -Led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
In Africa, an estimated $42 billion financing gap exists for small and medium-sized enterprises owned or led by women (WSMEs). According to Nathalie Gogue-Ebo, Crystal Mugimba, Millie Maina and Shiemaa Ahmed at Open Capital, this gap has persisted despite the fact that women own the majority of the continent’s SMEs, and that globally, they default on their loans at a rate 53% lower than men. They explore the main roadblocks facing African WSMEs, and share some solutions that can ensure that these women entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to thrive.
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dLocal and Zepz Forge Strategic Partnership to Enhance Cross-Border Payments in Emerging Markets
This collaboration seeks to address the significant challenges these regions face due to limited banking access and the high costs associated with cross-border payments.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Global
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Mastercard and Diamond Trust Bank Partner for 10 Years to Transform Digital Payments in East Africa
The partnership will focus on delivering innovative, secure, and convenient payment solutions.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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