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Why More Nigerian Microfinance Banks May Collapse
The Managing Director of Asha Microfinance Bank, in Nigeria’s western city of Lagos, Mr Aminul Bhuiya, on Thursday raised fears about the possible collapse of more microfinance banks in the country saying this was due to high cost of operation.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- microfinance
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If Cash Is King in Africa, Mobile Money Is Heir Apparent
For most African businesses and the populace at large, cash is king, owing to the continent’s developing electronic funds transfer systems and the slow uptake of technology-based remittance and payments platforms. But experts believe that the growing integration of telecommunications and banking in most African countries, as well as the continued revamping of platforms enabling electronic funds transfers, is helping mobile money to catch up to cash in terms of popularity.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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The Overlooked Secret to Successful Small Businesses: The ‘demand side of financing’
The inability to access capital is a frequent obstacle for would-be entrepreneurs in the developing world. But most of the energy spent on solving this problem is currently focused on the financial industry, or the supply side. Instead, we should focus more attention on the demand side of funding – working with entrepreneurs, argues Juan Carlos Thomas of TechnoServe.
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- Uncategorized
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Viewpoint: Entrepreneurial Dream mEntrepreneurial Dream Made Easy in Pakistan
When 40-year-old Salma Bai wanted to set up her own tea shop in Faisalabad, her main worry was obtaining the capital that was required to start an entrepreneurial venture.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- microfinance
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Brazilian Development Bank Loans $100m to Banco do Nordeste do Brasil to Expand Microcredit
Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES), the Brazilian government’s development bank, reportedly has announced that it will loan USD 100 million to Banco do Nordeste do Brasil (BNB), a public bank operating in Brazil’s Northeastern Region. The investment will be made from the microcredit program of BNDES, and BNB will commit an additional BRL 42.8 million (USD 16.6 million) to the effort. The proceeds will be used to fund individual entrepreneurs as well as micro- and small enterprises (MSEs). The interest rate of the wholesale loan will be set according to the country’s Long-term Interest Rate (known as TJLP in portuguese), which currently stands at 5.5 percent, plus 1.1 percent [1].
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Latin America
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- lending
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Why 2015 Will Be a Game-Changer for Financial Inclusion in India
When it comes to digital finance, India punches below its weight. The 2014 Intermedia Financial Inclusion Insight (FII) Survey of 45,000 Indian adults found that 0.3% of adults use mobile money, compared to 76% in Kenya, 48% in Tanzania, 43% in Uganda, and 22% in Bangladesh.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Alibaba Finance Arm Sets Up China Consumer Credit-Scoring System
The financial services affiliate of Alibaba (BABA.N) launched on Wednesday a system that will use the e-commerce giant's data trove to assess the creditworthiness of Chinese consumers and businesses with little or no history at traditional lenders.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- credit scoring
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Uber Eyes Use of Mobile Money Service in Africa
Many people in Africa do not have credit cards, but do use mobile services on phones. After launching its service in seven African cities and hitting a few hitches, especially in Kenya, Uber is exploring the use of mobile money services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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