-
Data + Digitization: The Key To Helping African Banks and Microfinance Institutions Support Their Customers During COVID-19
Thanks to COVID-19, the IMF projects 2020 to be the worst year for Africa's economic growth since its record-keeping began in 1970. And concerns are also mounting about the likelihood of an increase in non-performing loans, which will impact businesses, industries and individuals across the continent. Cate Rung at Pngme explores how financial technology – including a unified data API platform – can help banks and microfinance institutions weather this crisis, while delivering services that comply with social distancing measures.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
-
Reversal of Fortune: Five Ways Biden’s Win Will Boost Impact Investing in Emerging Markets
In the aftermath of the U.S. election, there's been considerable discussion of how Biden’s victory will impact different industries. According to Josh Knauer at JumpScale, one particular sector that will benefit is impact investing. He explains how the work of impact investors had become more difficult during the Trump years, and why there's reason to believe that the incoming administration will give the sector’s efforts in emerging markets a significant boost.
- Categories
- Energy, Finance, Investing, Technology, Transportation
-
Solar Fridges and Powdered Vaccines: How To Get a COVID-19 Vaccine To the Developing World
UNICEF is building a global network of fridges and cold rooms—the cold chain—to make sure a vaccine stays effective as it’s transported to rural communities off the grid.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- supply chains, vaccines
-
After Fintech, Jumia Is Betting on Spinning off Its Logistics Arm To Deliver Profits
When it first launched in Nigeria in 2012, Jumia quickly realized just how much work was needed to build a logistics service that could enable its e-commerce ambitions across the continent.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Press Release: Mobile Money Adoption Within IDP Camps in Somalia Provides Unlikely Blueprint for Navigating COVID Pandemic
Internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps are relying upon Somalia’s intricate mobile money infrastructure to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Accelerating the adoption of mobile money by IDPs across Somalia has been shown to be effective in mitigating the risk of the COVID-19 spreading while providing rapid fund delivery.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Analysis: COVID-19 and the Future of Work in Africa’s Mobile Industry – What the Experts Say
In 2019, the GSMA conducted research on Powering Youth Employment through the Mobile Industry in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2025. Since then, the world’s employment market has experienced unprecedented uncertainties because of COVID-19.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
How Future Africa Invested $1 Million Across 9 African Startups in Q3 2020
Future Africa, a platform that provides capital, coaching, and community for African innovators, just announced that it invested a total of $1 million in nine African startups in the third quarter of this year.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech, impact investing, startups
-
How India Can Transform Its Fertilizer Subsidy Program
India is the second-largest user of fertilizer in the world, after China. It offers subsidies on fertilizers to make them affordable to the country's 150 million farmers – and ultimately, to ensure food security. But as Ritesh Rautela and Anurodh Giri at MSC point out, an estimated 65% of this fertilizer does not reach the intended beneficiaries – and the system has faced leakages and uneven usage among recipients. They propose a tech-fueled solution that could benefit both farmers and the Indian government.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.