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Why Data Ownership is a Bridge Across Digital Divides
Emerging markets have traditionally experienced “data poverty” – data that is inaccessible, and poorly captured, controlled and distributed. But big data sources are now serving as proxies for all kinds of information – on everything from GDP and growth to demographics and poverty. This represents a big opportunity for emerging markets to leapfrog the technical limitations faced by developed economies, writes Gavin Heaton of the company Hu-manity.co. He sees a day when lower-income citizens have the opportunity to profit from their data, rather than being subjugated by it.
- Categories
- Technology
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Microsoft Opens First $100 Million Africa Development Centre in Kenya and Nigeria
“The Africa Development Centre will be unlike any other existing investment on the continent. It will help us better listen to our customers, develop locally and scale for global impact,” Phil Spencer, Executive Vice President at Microsoft said.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech, off-grid energy
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India’s Technology Sector Driving Economy
The shift is attributed to a sharp rise in hiring by existing and new global in-house centres (GCCs) due to technology innovation activities in India for their global markets.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- employment
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New Banking Model At Play In Nigeria
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, with about 190 million people, wants 80% of its citizens in the banking system by the end of 2020. The central bank reports that 36.8% of the adult population is excluded from the financial system.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Jumia Has Endured a Horror Week on the New York Stock Exchange Amid Fraud Claims
The main thrust of Citron’s report is centered on “material discrepancies” in Jumia’s S1 filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in March and a confidential investor presentation Jumia allegedly made six months earlier.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- e-commerce
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Omidyar to Support Three Emerging Market Think Tanks Exploring Appropriate Use of Digital Identity
Omidyar Network has invested in a trio of organizations from different regions to support enhanced understanding of the appropriate use and limits of digital identity.
- Categories
- Technology
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The Financial Inclusion Gender Gap is Wide. Which FinTechs Are Working to Narrow It?
Significantly more women than men around the world lack access to digital finance – and in some countries, the gender gap is actually getting worse. According to Alina Kaiser at DFS Lab, that's why her organization is bringing a gender focus to their own work. It's also why they're recognizing and rewarding the efforts of other organizations to tackle this gap, by launching the Female-Focused Fintech Prize. Kaiser discusses the problem and some potential solutions, and invites interested fintechs to apply for the prize – applications are open until May 15.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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South African Insurtech Startup Nobuntu Raises Funding From Crossfin
South African fintech startup Nobuntu, which builds innovative insurance products for lower-income segments, has raised an undisclosed amount of funding from fintech holding company Crossfin to help it scale.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech, startups, venture capital
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