-
Storming the Walls – How Mozambique’s ‘Citadel Economy’ Shapes Financial Inclusion
In Mozambique, the combination of infrastructure deficit caused by colonial neglect and civil war, a centralist political economy, the sheer scale of poverty, and limited formal sector employment opportunities creates sharp income inequalities and shapes a "citadel economy," where high walls separate those inside and outside the enclave. This keeps financial service providers from reaching excluded target markets in the informal and agrarian economy. Christine Hougaard at Cenfri explores the problem and its potential solutions.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
USAID Commits More than $38 Million to Global Entrepreneurship
At the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced four new investments totaling more than $38 million that will help mobilize the power of global entrepreneurs and innovators in the fight to end extreme poverty. These investments will connect innovators around the world with investors and capital to increase access to energy and expand food security in developing countries.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Opportunity International and MyBucks: ‘A Powerful Partnership to Improve More Lives’
Opportunity International's sale of six microfinance banks to the fintech company MyBucks has sparked extensive analysis in recent days - along with some serious concerns. In this article, Opportunity CEO Vicki Escarra responds to the criticisms of the partnership leveled by former MFTransparency CEO Chuck Waterfield in his recent NextBillion post.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
The world’s largest investor is trying to break down the wall between you and your money
Impact investing - that is, investing with a cause in mind - is becoming increasingly popular.Millennials are twice as likely to invest in companies that have a positive impact on society, and that generation is set to invest around $40 trillion over the next three decades.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- impact investing
-
‘Ahead of the Curve’ – Three Companies Get Serious About Measuring Customers’ Financial Health
It is easy to track the number of active checking accounts or the number of dollars lent on credit cards. It is much harder to measure if those checking accounts and credit cards are actually helping customers manage their money better. To help financial services providers get serious about measuring their impact, CFSI recently released eight key indicators of financial health, and profiled three companies that are ahead of the curve in understanding customer outcomes.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Landscape of Microinsurance Africa study released
The study provides an in depth analysis of the evolution of microinsurance in the African region in terms of products, delivery channels, regulations and profitability indicators to the industry.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Deutsche Bank ventures into ethical funds arena
Deutsche Bank has partnered with an ethical investment specialist to launch a series of investment products in anticipation of a surge in demand for socially responsible investments from European clients.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
-
Perspective: Asia’s Banks Take Stand on Impact Investing
Credit Suisse Private Banking Asia Pacific and Singapore’s UOB Venture Management have joined forces to launch a new fund based on a textbook definition of what impact investing means. A first round of funding recently closed for an impact investing venture capital fund supporting small- and medium-sized businesses in Asia.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- impact investing