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Accelerating Digital Transformation: Why Technology is the Key to Eliminating the MSME Finance Gap in Emerging Markets
According to the IFC, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets face a finance gap of $5.2 trillion every year. Since MSMEs are responsible for 70% of job opportunities in these countries, this gap must be addressed. According to Brian Pallas at Opportunity Network, that’s where digital technologies can offer a solution. He explores how emerging innovations offer alternative, tech-enabled means of financing for MSMEs, and how business leaders and policymakers can support these enterprises' digital transformation.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Meta To Train 10 Million Small Businesses in India
Social media giant Meta Platforms Inc., (formerly Facebook) said it will provide training to 10 million small businesses and entrepreneurs and 250,000 creators in India in the next three years.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Walmart-owned Flipkart Invests $145 Million in Agritech Startup Ninjacart
As e-grocery picks up momentum in India, Walmart-owned Flipkart on Monday announced to invest $145 million in agritech startup Ninjacart, which has helped over 1,00,000 farmers across 150 villages to generate better revenues.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- impact investing
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African Edtech Startup Ulesson Raises $15m, Backed by Nielsen Ventures and Tencent
Founded by Nigerian serial founder Sim Shagaya in 2019, uLesson came into the market when the pandemic hit last year.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- edtech, impact investing, startups
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4DX Ventures and Flutterwave Co-invest in Payments Processor CinetPay in Africa
CinetPay, a digital finance platform that enables merchants in Francophone Africa to seamlessly accept and make payments, has announced a $2.4 million seed fundraising round from 4DX Ventures and Flutterwave.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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India’s Unconventional COVID-19 Recovery: How Platformization and Digitalisation Can Build an Inclusive Post-Pandemic Economy
Most of India's labour force is employed in the informal sector, and these workers have faced unique challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic: Over 78% of them lost their livelihoods in the initial lockdown, and many remain unemployed or underemployed. But Chhavi Banswal at Ola Mobility Institute highlights a silver lining behind these dark clouds – accelerated digitalisation and platformization. She explores how gig/platform workers have become a key part of the country's economy, and discusses a recent report showing how digital platforms can expand employment opportunities for all.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Cybersecurity Startup CloudSEK Bags $7 Million in Funding Led by MassMutual Ventures
The startup will use the fresh capital to scale its team of 100 engineers to evolve and refine its machine-learning capabilities as well as in increasing the marketing muscle outside of the country.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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The Ins and Outs of Launching a Digital Savings Product in Kenya: Regulatory Guidance for Fintech Startups
Kenya is among the most advanced markets in the world in terms of fintech innovation and digital financial services. But according to Abby Butkus at BFA Global's Catalyst Fund, this innovation has yet to extend to digital savings, where the uncertain regulatory environment requires startups to be creative in their approach. She discusses four ways startups are approaching the regulatory process for their digital savings products, and shares a set of guides Catalyst Fund has released to aid founders in navigating the regulatory environments in Kenya and other countries.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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