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Franchise model ideal to ensure financial inclusivity in Africa – Zoona
There are regions in Africa where money merchants trade on the side of the road, armed with huge stacks of both US dollars and their local currency, where cash is exchanged so rapidly, so effectively that it barely gets noticed. People go about their business - hardly acknowledging what to many foreigners would probably seem somewhat unusual. But this is the reality of Africa's unbanked, informal but money-intensive market in 2017 - one that mobile payments firm Zoona is looking to target with infrastructure and services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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It’s Amazon versus Alibaba versus Softbank in world’s fastest-growing e-commerce market
Recently published a piece headlined 'India’s e-commerce battle is not Indian anymore' that highlighted the battle between Amazon and China's Alibaba Group in the world's fastest-growing e-commerce market.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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World Bank Group Launches New Program to Support Africa’s Top Digital Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group (www.WorldBank.org) launched XL Africa (www.XL-Africa.com), a five-month business acceleration program designed to support the 20 most promising digital start-ups from Sub-Saharan Africa. Start-ups will receive mentoring from global and local experts, learn through a tailor-made curriculum, increase their regional visibility, and get access to potential corporate partners and investors. With support from prominent African investment groups, XL Africa will help the 20 selected start-ups attract early stage capital between $250,000 and $1.5 million.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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IntelleGrow in talks to raise $100m via debt, equity in next few months
With its eyes set on doubling its assets under management to Rs 640 crore ($99 million) this year, venture debt firm IntelleGrow is in talks with investors to raise $100 million through debt and equity.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- ESG, impact investing
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Ex-Safaricom chief Joseph set to leave Vodafone
Former Safaricom #ticker:SCOM chief executive Michael Joseph is set to step down as Vodafone’s director of mobile money later this year as part of a wider plan to disengage from all his full-time roles at the telecom giant. Mr Joseph, who is the chairman of Kenya Airways #ticker:KQ, is also set to relinquish his non-executive director positions at Vodafone’s African subsidiaries — Vodacom Mozambique, Vodacom Tanzania and Vodacom Group South Africa.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Afreximbank picks Nigeria as Africa’s centre of excellence for healthcare services
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has selected Nigeria as Africa’s first centre of excellence for healthcare services, where it would support development of firstclass healthcare facilities. In a statement on Thursday in Lagos, Afreximbank President, Dr Benedict Oramah, said that the strategic plan was also to diversify Africa’s exports and promote trade in health and medical services.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- tourism
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India: Hero Enterprises to invest $15.5m in Aavishkaar Bharat Fund
Hero Enterprises today announced a Rs 100 crore ($15.5 million) investment in impact investor Aavishkaar’s new fund, the Aavishkaar Bharat Fund. Aavishkaar Bharat Fund is the investor’s sixth fund, and is a SEBI registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund. The firm is aiming to raise Rs 2,000 Crore ($310 million) for this fund, through which it will invest in businesses engaging with the underserved population in sectors.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech
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India: Hero Enterprises to invest $15.5m in Aavishkaar Bharat Fund
Hero Enterprises today announced a Rs 100 crore ($15.5 million) investment in impact investor Aavishkaar’s new fund, the Aavishkaar Bharat Fund. Aavishkaar Bharat Fund is the investor’s sixth fund, and is a SEBI registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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