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Perspective: There’s a Lot We Still Don’t Know About Libra
Last month, Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg spent over five grueling hours answering myriad questions from the members of the House Financial Services Committee on issues like election interference, hate speech, censorship and discriminatory advertising. While it was an important reminder of the many dangers that Facebook already presents to our society, we didn’t actually learn much about the hearing’s ostensible topic: Facebook’s audacious plan to create an association of big businesses to issue a new digital currency called Libra.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- cryptocurrency, fintech
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As Debt Grows, More Indian Women Farmers Taking Their Lives
A vicious debt cycle is forcing women in Maharashtra state's Amravati to take their lives as agrarian crisis persists.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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A Look Into India’s First Digital Village
“We saw the situation in the rest of India, long lines, fights—everyone’s life had come to a stand still. We were amazed,” says Urmila Ben, a resident of Akodara. “People had made such a big deal out of this whole demonetization, but we could not be bothered any less,” says Chintan Patel, the sarpanch, or head of the village. “For us, life went on as usual.”
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Vodacom Drives Financial Inclusion with Affordable Smartphone Offers
“Many people in the country cannot afford high-tech smartphones or don’t want to commit to a contract,” says Vodacom Financial Services Chief Officer, Mariam Cassim.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Is Mobile Money Too Expensive in Rwanda?
Despite the growth of mobile money penetration and transactions over the years, much of the money is cashed out or used for airtime purchases.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Debt Relief a Double-Edged Sword for South Africans Living on Loans
The situation of people like Rivele shows both the potential benefits - and unintended consequences - of a new law signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa in August, aimed at protecting vulnerable borrowers.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Mobile Giant Takes Another Crack at South Africa’s Mobile Money Market
MoMo forms a critical part of the group’s growth prospects, and MTN South Africa is confident that MoMo can mimic the success that saw telephony and the Internet being revolutionised and democratised over the past two decades.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Delivering Online Skills Training in Africa: Three Keys to a Successful Program
The shortage of data science skills is a major challenge for Africa. With relatively few local institutions offering degrees in the subject, African data scientists must often acquire their skills via online courses, leaving some unable to fully participate in the continent's emerging digital future. Dumisani Dube at Insight2Impact shares insights from a successful online course offered to its DataHack4FI participants, which could help other organizations better leverage digital learning in Africa.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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