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NexThought Monday – Does Anti-Poverty Work Actually … Work?: Three questions every ‘pro-poor’ group needs to ask themselves
How can we fully distinguish pro-poor programs from those that are not? Leading thinkers of the “social performance” movement in microfinance (seeking social as well as financial return on investment) have hit upon a truth that applies to all anti-poverty work: Truly pro-poor programs provide the right answer to each of three straightforward questions.
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- Uncategorized
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Mobile Wallets Gain Currency at India’s Brick-and-Mortar Stores
Could mobile wallets be to India what credit cards are to the West? When they were launched about five years ago, they were used mostly for making online payments. Increasingly, though, they are being used to make payments in the 'offline' world.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- digital payments
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Orange Launches Africa’s First Mobile Crowdfunding Platform
Mobile operator Orange, which has operations in 16 African countries, has partnered with French charity crowdfunding platform HelloAsso to launch what it says is Africa's first mobile crowdfunding platform.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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- crowdfunding
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Sowing Self-Sufficiency in Africa With Anacostia-Based ‘Hello Tractor’
For years he had two feet planted firmly on the ground as a corporate investment banker. Now, with a little start-up money, Jehiel Oliver runs a small Anacostia-based company, with a plan to solve a big agriculture problem half a world away.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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- microfinance
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Financial Inclusion a Theme at MasterCard Investor Day
During MasterCard’s Investment Community Meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 9), the remarks from CEO Ajay Banga and his executive team gave a pretty good indication into how MasterCard views its role in the fast-moving digital payments ecosystem.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Foreign Investment Approved for White-Label ATMs in India – But Hurdles Remain
In order to boost a space that has grown at a snail’s pace, the government on Wednesday approved 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) under the automatic route for non-bank entities that operate cash machines, subject to certain conditions. Wednesday’s move, the government said, will help improve financial inclusion in the country.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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New Report Examines Payment Aspects of Financial Inclusion
The Committee on Payments and Market Infrastructures (CPMI) and the World Bank Group today issued a consultative report on Payment aspects of financial inclusion. The report examines demand and supply-side factors affecting financial inclusion in the context of payment systems and services, and suggests measures to address these issues.
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- Uncategorized
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Microfinance Industry Back on Growth Path
After going through a crisis period, the country's microfinance industry has returned to the growth phase, especially in the light of stable regulatory framework, says a report.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- lending, microfinance
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