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How Tony Elumelu’s ‘Africapitalism’ Aims to Redefine African Economic Development
Tony Elumelu did not set out to create social change during his tenure at the helm of United Bank of Africa. "We wanted to democratize banking – at the time, it was an economic, not a social act,” he said during a keynote speech the Global Philanthropy Forum. Elumelu turned the failing Nigerian bank United Bank of Africa (UBA), which was purchased in 1997 for $5 million, into a multi-billion dollar financial services powerhouse. Elumelu is now taking his learnings from this experience to redefine strategies for African economic development.
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- Uncategorized
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Weekly Wrap: The State Department’s ‘Impact Economy’ Aim
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened U.S. State Department’s Global Impact Economy Forum on Friday speaking the language of "shared value" in the global economy. In a world in which "one out of three people in the world today living on less than $2 a day," Clinton said, "We believe expanding economic opportunity is fundamental to achieving our own national interest."
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- Uncategorized
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- governance
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Morgan Stanley Offering Advisors Sustainable Investing Platform
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is launching a platform for its financial advisors to offer clients investments with positive social and environmental impact in what appears to be a major push to offer sustainable investing to mainstream investors.Although many broker-dealers allow their advisors to offer sustainable investments to retail clients, few have specific advisor platforms for that purpose. MSSB made an announcement today about the new platform at the U.S. State Department-sponsored Global Impact Economy Forum.
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- Uncategorized
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- impact investing
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An Entrepreneur’s View: WorldHaus, A Prototype for Progress in Global Housing
After months of planning and securing the prototype location in the outskirts of Chennai, India, we were ready to build in late summer of 2011. We begin our first housing development next month and aim to build over 500 houses by the end of the year.
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- Finance, Uncategorized
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- housing, rural development
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At GPF, Finding a Way (or Making One) for Foundations to Impact Invest
Family foundations are often considered the low-hanging fruit of impact investing: their mission-driven philosophies combined with their perceived nimbleness make them ideal candidates to become first movers and concept-provers. However, panelists at the Global Philanthropy Forum discussed the barriers that exist even for them when trying to put their money towards companies that create positive impacts.
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- Uncategorized
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Govt to Probe Sister Concerns of Grameen Bank
The government will form a commission to look into the activities of 54 organisations associated with Grameen Bank, the finance minister has said.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Can SKS Change Its Spots?
After being the bad boy of microfinance, SKS is now trying to pick itself up and transform into a more cost-effective, diversified organization.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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The Life-Changing Power of a Good Nap—And a Smart Business Plan
Yellow Leaf Hammocks, a rising socially conscious lifestyle brand, could have launched fast after its inspiring moment only to crash and burn. Yet smart planning and business sense gave the company the organic, slow-growth start that offers it the best shot at a sustainable future. Howyou run your company is just as important as why.
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- Uncategorized
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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