-
Empowering the Underserved: A New Report Highlights the Impact of Off-Grid Energy Solutions — And Some Emerging Challenges
Up to 674 million people living in the world's most vulnerable communities are projected to remain unelectrified by 2030. According to Kat Harrison at 60 Decibels, the off-grid sector could reach these customers, if these energy businesses and organizations are given the right support to successfully scale. She shares insights from a new 60 Decibels report, based on interviews with 79,000 energy customers in over 30 different countries over the last three years, which highlight some adjustments the sector could make to reach hundreds of millions of excluded customers.
-
Comparing Business Models for Scaling Access to Productive Use of Energy Appliances in Agriculture: The Advantages of Pay-Per-Use
Productive Use of Energy (PUE) appliances — including solar refrigerators, water pumps and more — can boost productivity, income and quality of life in vulnerable communities. But as Ankur Singh, Argha Ghose and Clementine Chambon at Oorja explain, challenges like high upfront costs, lack of financing and poor after-sales service hinder their adoption among these consumers. They explore several business and end-user financing models that can support PUE uptake in agriculture, and explain why the pay-per-use model is uniquely suitable for low-income consumers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Finance, Technology
-
Norrsken22 Invests $205 Million in Africa’s Growing Fintech Sector
Lexi Novitske expects a rebound beyond pre-2020 levels despite a dip in 2023.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Taking Stock of India’s Fintech Landscape: A Venture Capital Firm Shares Six Insights from One of the World’s Most Vibrant Investment Markets
The global team at Quona Capital — a venture capital firm focused on inclusive fintech — recently concluded a visit to India, during which they immersed themselves in the local fintech ecosystem. Michel Zaidler at Quona shares six insights they gathered from several of their Indian portfolio companies, and from these companies' customers and other fintech thought leaders. He highlights some of the groundbreaking business models these fintechs are using, and explains why the Indian market offers unique opportunities to investors.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance, Investing, Technology
-
UAE Commits $50 Million to Development Initiative
The funding will be used by LLF 2.0 to support critical projects in health and infectious diseases, agriculture, and social infrastructure in low and lower-middle income IsDB member countries.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Global
-
Report: The Capital Women Need, for the Future We All Need
Melinda French Gates pens the foreword to a new paper that addresses the need to expand access to affordable credit for women entrepreneurs in the Global South.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Global
-
Africa’s Top Fintech Player Is Getting Ready for an IPO
Flutterwave, the Nigeria-based digital payments company and Africa’s most valuable startup, has made changes to its corporate team as part of moves aimed at preparing for an initial public offering.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
MTN and Investec Partner to Bring PayShap to Mobile Money, Driving Financial Inclusion in South Africa
The partnership represents a major breakthrough in expanding financial services to South Africa’s unbanked population.
- Categories
- Finance, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa