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Impact investments booming in Africa
Impact investing has become a key focus for many fund managers on the continent. Just under half of funds surveyed in Southern, West and East Africa are awake to the idea that their assets can not only be used to generate good returns for their clients, but also outcomes that are good for society at large.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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India’s most popular mobile wallet company is pushing to disrupt financial services with a new money market fund
Paytm recently became the second nonbank to leverage India's payment bank initiative, which works to give more consumers access to mainstream financial services. As part of the initiative, Paytm will be able to accept deposits, issue debit cards, and facilitate online transactions, but it won't be able to lend money to consumers.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Fintech companies take on banks, telcos with big data arsenal in Africa
Developing markets such as Kenya do not yet have the levels of Internet penetration and e-commerce sophistication to attract these online giants turned fintech entrepreneurs. At the same time, a stable of local fintech companies are sprouting and they are expected to mature as fast Internet becomes more affordable and as Kenyans embrace shopping and banking online.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
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Impact investors face US$39bn opportunity in education microfinance
“Education offers extraordinary social returns in the sense that a decent schooling remains the best opportunity for most to escape poverty,” said Nathan Byrd who heads the Opportunity EduFinance program.
- Region
- South Asia
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Zimbabwe cash crisis hits microfinance institution GetBucks
“When we do have cash we have been able to disburse money, but particularly bond notes that we are receiving from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. It differs daily based on demand so on one day it can be $30, $50 and $100. Its similar with what is prevailing in the market,” Soko said.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- microfinance
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On Bitcoin, India’s Government And Tech Companies Find Common Ground
Clearly, despite some initial reservations, the Indian government is keen on understanding how Bitcoin works and is willing to deploy resources to build frameworks.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Nigerian Tech Startup Tizeti Secures $2.1M To Bring Affordable Wireless Internet To Africa
Unlike other telcos, who many think have a monopoly on internet data services in the country, Tizeti can keep costs low for its consumer-facing brand, wifi.com.ng, because it is investing heavily in building out its own solar-panelled network of towers across Lagos, as well as a network of over 3,000 public hotspots across the city.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Startups abound, healthcare no longer a distant dream
“With this technology the remote doctors are able to monitor the patients all year, in all seasons. The equipment significantly increases the reach and effectiveness of the hospital,” said Swami Ekdevananda at Advaita Ashrama in Uttarakhand.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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