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New development impact bond brings in big donors, provides biggest test of model to date
Gwokajja’s story is one of several thousand supported through Village Enterprise, a nongovernmental organization working to eliminate poverty in sub-Saharan Africa through entrepreneurship and innovation. The organization’s network of entrepreneurs is set to grow significantly through a new development impact bond that is trailblazing many firsts — the first in the world to focus specifically on poverty alleviation, the first in sub-Saharan Africa, and the first to bring on major donors, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.K. Department for International Development.
- Categories
- Investing
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Off-grid Solar set to triple in Africa
The IEA has found that the amount of power from solar grew by more than 50%, and has officially increased energy output globally at a faster rate than any other fuel. Off-grid solar will bring basic electricity services to almost 70 million more people in Asia and sub Saharan Africa
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Is Safaricom Entering the Ethiopian Market?
"We wish to categorically state that we are not engaged in any conversations with Ethio Telecom on this matter. Any information to the contrary is completely inaccurate," CEO Bob Collymore told The East African.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Chinese money dominates bitcoin, now its companies are gunning for blockchain tech
I meet Jack Liao, who runs a bitcoin mining firm called Lightning Asic. He leads me through a dark hutong, coming to a set of carved wooden double-doors. Pushing them open, we enter into the courtyard of a palatially renovated villa. This is my first look at the elusive “bitcoin club.”
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- blockchain, cryptocurrency, fintech
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TPG Seals Record $2 Billion for Fund Co-Led by Bono
The fund, which TPG raised in about seven months, surpassed its $1.5 billion target and hit its $2 billion hard cap, or the maximum amount of outside capital allowed by its agreement with investors. TPG employees plan to commit additional money before a final close.
- Categories
- Investing
- Tags
- impact investing
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Mobile subscriptions hit 40 million mark in Kenya, says Communication Authority
The number of mobile subscriptions in the country have risen to 40.2 million, the Communication Authority of Kenya reported on Friday
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press release: Top entrepreneurs of 2017 SVC Asia set to make social impact targeting educational, healthcare, agricultural and environmental sectors
Eight teams took home a total of S$180,000 in cash prizes from the 2017 DBS-NUS Social Venture Challenge Asia (SVC Asia) - the highest amount ever presented within the competition’s four-year history. SVC Asia is an Asia-wide competition for social enterprises. It identifies and supports innovative ideas and social ventures that demonstrate positive, scalable and sustainable social impact within the region.
- Source
- Press release
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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IMF Releases the 2017 Financial Access Survey, Tracking Access to Financial Services
FAS data show progress in two indicators of the Sustainable Development Goals: the number of bank branches and automated teller machines (ATMs), with most of the growth concentrated in Asia. However, some other regions still lag in these financial access dimensions.
- Categories
- Finance
- Tags
- financial inclusion, fintech, SDGs
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