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Financial Inclusion: Equity Bank, Master Card Launch New Prepaid Card in Kenya
In a manner of speaking, Africa can mentor the rest of the world on mobile money based on the number of such solutions that have been successfully planted on the continent in the past half-decade. In a very recent development, Equity Bank Kenya has, in conjunction with MasterCard, launched a prepaid card with the central aim of deepening the cash lite economy in the east African country.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Financial Solutions Lab Announces $3 Million Competition to Tackle Consumer Financial Security
The Financial Solutions Lab at the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI) with founding partner JPMorgan Chase & Co. today announced a $3 million competition for technology innovators working to address consumer financial challenges. This cross-sector initiative will identify technology-enabled financial solutions and provide winners with direct and indirect support to test and expand the availability of their products and services to consumers.
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- Uncategorized
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Why Bill Gates Is Backing Impact Entrepreneurs in India
Will Poole, a top Microsoft executive-turned seed-stage investor, is tapping American and Indian tech entrepreneurs to back some startups in India that are decidedly not tech-related.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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- impact investing
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Kompanion Financial Group Completes Equity Raise with Investment from FMO and Triodos Investment Management
Kompanion Financial Group, one of the largest microfinance institutions in the Kyrgyz Republic both by loan portfolio and number of clients, has concluded an equity raise selling a 35% stake to international investors. The shares were purchased by Netherlands based investors FMO and Triodos Investment Management, with the latter investing through Triodos Fair Share Fund and Triodos Microfinance Fund. Kompanion’s founder Mercy Corps will remain majority shareholder and hold a 65% stake. The funds will be used for growth capital in the lending operations and support Kompanion’s transformation to a licensed banking institution.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
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Banking Africa’s Unbanked Population is Not the Solution to Improved Inclusion
Banking Africa’s unbanked population–adults who don’t use formal banks or semi-formal microfinance institutions to save or borrow money–may not be the solution to providing wider access to financial products and services.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Central Bank of Nigeria to Establish Regulatory Council for Islamic Finance
The CBN said, “An essential governance structure and element of regulatory oversight for institutions offering non-interest (Islamic) financial services is the establishment of an advisory body at the level of the Central Bank to provide assurance that the strategic direction and conduct of financial transactions of Non-Interest (Islamic) Financial Institutions (NIFIs) are in compliance with the rules and principles underpinning their operations.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- regulations
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Safaricom Will Reduce Investment if Kenyan Regulators Move to Limit Its Dominance
Safaricom Ltd. will cut its planned $400 million investment in East Africa’s biggest economy this year if Kenyan regulators impose penalties on the wireless carrier to limit its market dominance, its chief executive officer said.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Nigeria’s Next Challenge: Bank Us Please
Like any other country, Nigeria has its problems. However, Nigeria perched now as Africa’s “Golden Child” with a GDP of $510 billion, ballooning past South Africa who has numerous economic challenges ahead.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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