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Cash is replacing other forms of aid, even in conflict zones
Giving cash to poor people is not a new idea. The UN sends money direct to bank accounts it sets up for Syrian refugees in Jordan; many countries use cash transfers as part of their social safety nets. What is new is donors’ willingness to give out cash in war zones.
- Categories
- Finance
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India’s Biggest Private Company Gets Paid on a Blockchain
Reliance Industries, India’s largest private sector firm, has successfully participated in its first ever trade finance transaction powered by blockchain technology.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Closing the Cash Gap With Cryptocurrency
In emerging markets, the shallow reach of traditional money systems means there’s less resistance to new financial technology.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Visa strengthens East Africa presence through partnership with Tanzanian telecom firm
Through the partnership, HaloPesa will offer consumers the option to pay a merchant with interoperable Visa QR Codes that are being rolled out as part of Visa on mobile expansion in the market.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Chopping Block to Starting Block: How OPIC (Now IDFC) is Writing the Next Chapter in U.S. Development Finance
The Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) just survived a near death experience. The agency was among the proposed cuts when the Trump administration came into power and began budget negotiations. But with the passage of the BUILD Act, OPIC will transform into the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, with a new budget and a new set of financial tools. We caught up with David Bohigian, Executive Vice President of OPIC, at SOCAP18 to find out what these changes mean for entrepreneurs and others seeking development finance.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise
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Banker proposes new blockchain technology for African market
A new mobile phone blockchain network is under development and is projected to acquire large-scale consumer adoption in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2021.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press release: Mastercard and Accion Partner to Unlock Growth for Millions of Underserved Microbusinesses around the World
Michael Schlein, president and CEO of Accion said: “Mastercard’s unrelenting focus on innovation and inclusion is helping to unlock opportunity for millions of people to build a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities. We are thrilled to take our partnership to a new level. Together we will work hard to ensure that today’s digital transformation of financial services benefits those who have been left out or underserved by the global financial system.”
- Source
- Press release
- Categories
- Finance
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
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In Kenya, free cash is the latest solution to poverty
Founded in 2010 and working in six African countries, Give Directly sends money straight to the poor allowing them to choose their own priorities, rather than outsiders "deciding instead of them", explains the non-profit's spokeswoman Caroline Teti.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa