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Safaricom increases e-commerce stakes after Alibaba Group deal
“This partnership seeks to connect Kenyans to even more business opportunities by enabling them to seamlessly source, purchase and import goods from the world’s leading manufacturers,” Safaricom Chief customer officer Sylvia Mulinge said.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Can sustainable companies get a lower cost of capital?
Green bonds have been making headlines in the sustainable finance world the past few years because of their rapid growth. Emerging this year as a rising star in sustainable finance are green and sustainability loans.
- Categories
- Finance
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From Credit Cards to the ATM: Why Interoperability is the Critical Next Step for Mobile Payments
One of the first modern disruptors to established payment methods was the credit card, which allowed people to simply sign for their purchases and be billed later. Then came the ATM, which helped to establish a web of bank networks. Mobile money systems are the latest disruptor, particularly in low-income markets where banking systems have not always served customers. But to grow and be financially inclusive, mobile money will need to replicate many of the same factors that drove the popularity of credit cards and ATMs, argues Vahid Monadjem, CEO of Nomanini.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Jan Dhan Yojana’s social security feature has failed to take off
The claim numbers for two in-built social security schemes under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts are at abysmally low level of less than 10,000 claims paid so far.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Press release: Microfinance is Instrumental in Alleviating Financial Hardship in the United States – Early Results of an MDRC Study of Grameen America
The first-of-its-kind random assignment study examined 1,492 women (in 300 loan groups) who applied in groups of five to the Grameen America microlending program in Union City, New Jersey. Applicant groups were assigned at random into two groups: those eligible to receive Grameen America loans (the program group) and those not eligible (the control group). The outcomes of the two groups were compared over time.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
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MTN to launch ‘WeChat of Africa’
The app will be launched in MTN markets in West Africa first as part of a “beta-testing” phase. The plan is to introduce it to all the countries in which it operates, including South Africa
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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M-Pesa, Western Union and Amazon could potentially disrupt Jumia’s e-commerce business
Three countries — Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa — dominate e-commerce sales. Kenya has a population of 48.5 million and an impressive 79 percent internet penetration. This is because Kenya is home to M-Pesa, the mobile wallet provider started by mobile telecom provider Safaricom. The availability of a secure payment system encourages internet access and online buying.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Omidyar Network spins out its fintech investment arm as Flourish, with up to $300 million
Equipped with up to $300 million in capital for operations and investments, the new Flourish will continue to invest around the Network’s core mission of backing companies with a dual focus on making a social impact and achieving quality financial returns.
- Region
- North America