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LAPO Boss: Microfinance Industry Needs Intellectual Leadership
LIFT Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) operated as a pro-poor non-government organisation (NGO) more than two decades before it was licensed a microfinance institution in 2010. The same year it was recognised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as a micro lender, it paid out N21.9 billion loans.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Weekly Roundup 3/16/13: Forcing CSR in India
This week I learned about two recent machinations by the Indian government to foster both corporate social responsibility and investments in base of the pyramid enterprises. The two initiatives have left me truly ambivalent. The first seems like a big misstep waiting to happen, while the second looks like a sure-footed step in the right direction.
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Life of Pi to bridge the funds gap
A new company is attempting to help bridge a US$3.5 billion (Dh12.85bn) funding gap for the Middle East's poorest entrepreneurs by linking them to microcredit loans bankrolled by the social media generation.
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- Uncategorized
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- North Africa & Near East
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- impact investing
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Mali Entrepreneurs Offer Path to Peace
The day French fighters started bombing Mali in January, I was on edge. Root Capital’s regional credit manager based in Dakar, Diaka Sall, was visiting clients in Mali that very day the French stepped in to stop the Northern rebels’ southward march toward the capital city.
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- Uncategorized
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- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Africa on the move
Awolowo Road has long been a destination for enterprising Nigerian traders. In the 1990s, Kola Karim became one of them, setting up shop on the road that links the plush neighbourhood of Ikoyi to the tumult of the Lagos Island business district, selling shirts and jeans to the throngs.
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- Uncategorized
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- Sub-Saharan Africa
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We Found it: The World’s Greatest Small Social Enterprise Will Inspire You
Today, I interviewed The Yonkofa Project founder Dr. Gabriella Nanci. I’ll share that interview with you directly and unedited as Dr. Nanci tells her story much better than I could.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Weekly Roundup (3/9/13): Moving Closer to Financial Equality: Reflecting on International Women’s Day
Over the last couple of days NextBillion has been a platform for women with some important, concrete ideas on increasing financial inclusion and bridging the gender gap. These women leaders are illuminating not only the barriers to financial inclusion for women, but the ways over, around or under them.
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February’s ‘NextBillies’ : The most-read, most shared posts for February
Welcome once again to the “NextBillies,” our monthly awards recognizing the most-read and most-discussed posts on NextBillion from the previous month. Unfortunately, we have no trophies, no Oscar-like awards to hand out, and no black tie optional gala. On the upside, we offer something far superior to our winners: Deep and abiding appreciation for their efforts. And isn’t that better than some chintzy trophy or glitzy after-party?
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- Uncategorized
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