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U.N. glimpses into blockchain future with eye scan payments for refugees
Iris recognition devices at the checkouts of the camp's supermarket authenticate customers' identities and deduct what they spend from sums they receive as aid from the World Food Program (WFP).
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
- Tags
- refugees
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The power of a billion: India’s genomics revolution
India is the land of inventors and industry, spices and spirituality - and 1.3 billion human genomes. But although the subcontinent contributes around 20% of the world's population, the DNA sequences of its people make up around 0.2% of global genetic databases.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Sri Lanka’s first reality show to promote entrepreneurship and impact investment
“Our vision is to build a thriving social enterprise sector in Sri Lanka by 2025. Ath Pavura is a giant step in our journey. The purpose of Ath Pavura is to find and promote social entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka. It’s the best opportunity for entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to promote their innovative solutions to social and environmental problems on television and inspire many more aspiring future social entrepreneurs,” said Social Enterprise Lanka Founder Eranda Ginige.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- impact investing
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How Vodafone is supporting health delivery in Africa
By working with startups and NGOs operating in developing countries, communication giants have access to an important intelligence network helping them to understand development needs and enable better coverage for emerging markets. And the development community, in turn, can scale solutions for wider and faster impact.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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From IIT to UC Berkeley, and Back – All to Make Agriculture More Efficient & Profitable
A job in the social sector is seen as the domain of social workers who sacrifice everything for the greater good. But increasingly, working in the social sector requires a balance between having a “business” mind and a “social” heart. Most social entrepreneurs lead financially secure lives, with the added satisfaction of doing something good and transforming lives. Yet, not many have the courage to take this less taken path.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- agtech
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Post offices are key to scaling up remittances and financial inclusion in Uganda
The new project, “Scaling Up Remittances and Financial Inclusion in Uganda,” will provide remittances services in poor rural communities as well as in refugee settlements, many of which are taking in those fleeing conflict and food insecurity in neighbouring South Sudan.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Wider, deeper VC investment needed for Indian and African mobile money firms, says Gates Foundation report
In excess of 233 million and 60 million people in India and East Africa respectively still lack formal bank accounts and 50% of small businesses don't have access to formal credit.
Financial technology (fintech) enabled firms such as M-Pesa in Kenya, which provides mobile payment, saving and credit facilities to 30 million people in East Africa, and the Paytm giant mobile m-commerce operation in India that claims 200 million users, are still the exception in terms of providing access to financial services for poor people.- Categories
- Uncategorized
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MetLife Releases Annual Corporate Responsibility Report
The report, titled Global Impact, includes information on MetLife’s leadership on climate issues and social impact investing as well as our efforts to make our products more accessible and easier to use, enhance customer service, and improve employee wellness. It also details our accomplishments in workplace diversity and MetLife Foundation’s work to improve financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Investing
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