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India wants to make credit and debit cards obsolete for payments
Ever since India invalidated much of its cash, it has been encouraging its citizens to switch to mobile wallets and other epayment solutions. Today, it took another step in pushing its citizens to embark on the cashless payment solutions — but early boomers aren't going to like it. The Indian government has launched BharatQR Code to enable people to pay for things they purchase without swiping their plastic cards. Instead, merchants can ask shoppers to scan a QR code and make payments directly from their bank account.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Midiwo in another attempt to cut Safaricom’s stranglehold in telco market
Leading communications service provider Safaricom could be spilt into several smaller entities following a new push by Parliament to break the firm’s lead in the financial sector. National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader Jakoyo Midiwo (Gem) is seeking an amendment to the Kenya Information and Communications Act (1998) to have telecommunication companies separate their businesses along lines of service provision.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Kenya denies mass mobile phone surveillance plan
Kenyan mobile phone firms have been ordered to install equipment to allow the telecommunications regulator to monitor activity on their networks. It means the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) would have the ability to listen to calls, read messages and view financial transactions.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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As Impact Investing Grows, It Moves Toward Defining Moment
Impact investing is in the midst of explosive growth as more investors look for ways to become involved. More investment capital flowing into impact investing strategies means more opportunities to make positive social and environmental change. Yet, while growth unlocks new and exciting possibilities, it also fuels long-lingering questions.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Kenyan Banks Have Joined Forces to Launch a Mobile Money Rival to M-Pesa
Nearly ten years after its launch, M-Pesa finally has what could be a major competitor in the multi-billion dollar mobile money transactions business.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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Omidyar Network invests $2.9M in new Latin American Alliance for Civic Technology to accelerate and scale innovation across the region
Alliance to be run by Fundación Avina and will be the next iteration of the Accelerator Fund for Civic Innovation - the key funder of civic tech innovation in Latin America.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Latin America
- Tags
- impact investing, scale
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Tanzania: Mobile Cash Transactions Rise Five-Fold Over the Past Year
The amount of cash transacted across networks of mobile phone platforms reached Sh988.9 billion during the second half of last year as telecom firms become an increasingly important payment avenue, giving commercial banks a run for their money.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
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As Impact Investing Goes Further Mainstream, Prudential Vice Chairman Becomes GIIN Board Chair
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) has appointed Mark Grier as its new Board Chair. Grier serves as Vice Chairman at Prudential Financial Inc.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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