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Africa leads in creating resilient women entrepreneurs – Mastercard Index
Following the release of the Mastercard Index of Women’s Entrepreneurship (MIWE) this week, it was revealed that 34.8 percent of businesses in Uganda are owned by women, making it one of the top performing African countries highlighted in the index.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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New Technique Uses Gold Nanoparticles to Rapidly Detect Ebola
Researchers from the University at Albany have developed a test that can detect the presence of Ebola virus from a urine sample, much faster and more cost-effectively than current methods. The technique, developed by biochemist Mehmet Yigit, relies on biomarkers and gold nanoparticles, which if triggered turn the sample red to indicate infection, or purple to indicate no infection.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- research
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First FinTech Fund for Inclusion of the Underserved Raises $141 Million
The first FinTech fund created to help the underserved has closed, reaching millions in capital contributions, which will go toward people and companies who need assistance in the financial sector.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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South Sudan Will Now Charge $10,000 For An Aid Worker Permit. Why?
Late last month, famine was declared in two counties of the civil-war torn East African country of South Sudan. With 100,000 people at risk for dying of starvation in that area alone and millions more on the brink of crisis-level food shortages throughout the country, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir promised "unimpeded access" to humanitarian aid organizations working there.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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World Bank giving $100 million to strengthen Nepal’s financial sector
The World Bank has approved a US$ 100 million credit to help Nepal accelerate its medium-term reform program for the financial sector, and to reduce the vulnerability of the banking sector and increase its transparency.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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The Final Countdown: Where are MetLife’s Financial Inclusion Grants Landing?
In 2013, the MetLife Foundation made a $200 million commitment over five years to move global financial inclusion forward. The foundation, along with its partners launched projects around the world beginning with low-income communities in Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and the United States.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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Vodafone Slams Proposed Split of Kenyan M-Pesa as`Ridiculous’
Safaricom Ltd, East Africa’s biggest mobile-phone company, would have to reconsider future investment in Kenya if proposals to break up the company are implemented, the head of mobile money at parent Vodafone Plc said.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
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Jay Z Launching Venture Capital Fund to Invest in Startups, Including Impact Investments
Jay Z is launching a new venture capital fund, as Rolling Stone points out. It’s called Arrive, and it is a collaboration between Jay’s Roc Nation, Primary Venture Partners, and GlassBridge Asset Management. According to a press release, Arrive will invest in startup companies, “providing them with brand services, business development, advisory and capital to drive growth in their organizations.”
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- venture capital
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