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As Users Game the System, Telcos/Banks Rue ‘Mobile Money Freebie’ in Kenya
The date was March 16, 2020, and cases of the novel coronavirus had just begun to spike in Kenya. Following recommendations from the government urging less use of cash as a precaution against the virus, Kenyan banks and mobile money platforms had been forced to become generous, sort of.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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Edtech Startup Gradely Wins MEST Africa Nigeria Challenge, to Compete For $50,000 Africa Prize
Gradely offers personalised learning with tools and content that can support students’ learning process through its online platform.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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GSMA Launches Mobile Money Interoperability Test Platform Driving Financial Inclusion in Africa
In Africa over 50.7 million new registered mobile money accounts were opened in 2019-20 alone, taking the total number of registered accounts in the region to 481 million. The total transaction volume and value for mobile money accounts during this period was 24 billion and $461 billion (up by 20% and 27%) respectively.
- Categories
- Technology
- Tags
- fintech
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Digital Innovation to Support African SMEs
COVID-19 may significantly hinder economic and social development across Africa. If the continent is to recover, then micro-entrepreneurs and SMEs will be the engine of growth.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The COVID-19 Pivot: How Five Nonprofits and Community-Based Enterprises Have Adapted in Response to the Pandemic
As COVID-19 has upended entire industries, businesses and non-profits everywhere have had to adapt to survive – sometimes shifting completely from their traditional services. June Sugiyama at the Vodafone Americas Foundation explores how five participants in the OpenIDEO COVID Business Pivot Challenge have quickly adjusted to provide innovative solutions to the crisis.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus, Health Care, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Digital Identity Initiatives for Government Services See a Mix of Progress and Delay
“There is a strong push by the government for a national digital ID, which will be used by government and private sectors, to meet the needs to identify individuals accessing e-services and authenticate other secure transactions,” said NEC Corp of Malaysia Sdn Bhd MD Chong Kai Wooi.
- Categories
- Technology
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Avoiding the Downside of Instapay: Five Behavioral Science-Based Principles to Make Paycheck-on-Demand Benefit Low-Income Users
There are numerous apps and employers that allow employees to cash out their paychecks on demand, rather than waiting until their usual payday. But while this may seem like a dream come true for people who need quick cash to deal with financial distress, "instapay" also comes with tradeoffs. Analysts at Common Cents Lab discuss these downsides – and some behavioral science-based solutions.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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4,000 MSMEs and Youths in ASEAN Region Offered Digital Skills Training
Brunei launches ASEAN initiative to help small businesses and youths gain the skills needed in a digital economy.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- MSMEs, rural development
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