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Study shows Kenyans’ soaring appetite for mobile loans
Mobile loans have become the largest source of credit for Kenyans besides family and friends, signalling the growing allure of financial technology (fintech) services in the country.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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First Digital-Only Bank in Ivory Coast Launches
Ivory Coast has the fifth highest percentage of adults with mobile money accounts in the world.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Asian Development Bank Report Looks at Impact of Digital Technologies on Remittances
Governments and international organisations can help create an enabling environment in digital finance to improve the remittance process and also have positive externalities such as financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Finance
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IFC and VCs Want To Take Emerging Market Microfinance To Mobile
The developing world needs more fintech companies to extend financial inclusion to consumers and small businesses who aren't being served by existing banks. That's the thinking behind several venture capital firms which are working with the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
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How mobile loan platforms have lured Kenyans into debt trap
Just as a sluggish economy in which exports have underperformed has forced Kenya to arrange for another credit to settle a loan that was maturing, tough economic times such as poor business performance, lay-offs, or delayed salary have seen digital borrowers struggle to repay their loans.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How an African startup built a bitcoin network while crypto’s reputation crumbled
When jobs in banking dried up after the global economic crash in 2008, Elizabeth Rossiello went to work in Africa at several microfinance operations, where she saw firsthand how Kenya’s recently launched M-Pesa mobile money service was transforming payments. Then, Rossiello heard that cryptocurrencies would be the next big thing. In 2013 she founded BitPesa, a digital foreign exchange and payments platform based in Nairobi.
- Categories
- Finance
- Tags
- cryptocurrency
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Sri Lanka Post Ushers Money Orders into the Digital Age with Sampath Bank
Sri Lanka joined hands with Sampath Bank to unveil e-Pay Mobile Cash, a revolutionary service that leverages the wide spread network of post offices, sub-post offices and Sampath Bank ATMs around the island to enable real time money transfers in a secure and convenient manner.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Branch International Raises $70M Series B to Bring World-Class Financial Services to Emerging Markets
Branch International, a mobile “branchless bank” for emerging markets, announces a $70 million Series B investment to expand its financial offerings to additional countries. With over a million unique borrowers, Branch is already the top finance app in Africa. Branch offers credit today and plans to diversify into savings and payments in the future.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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