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Why M-Pesa Failed in South Africa
South Africa's largest mobile phone operator Vodacom has announced it will be scrapping its M-Pesa mobile money transfer system in Africa's second-biggest economy.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
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Online Lenders Already in Turmoil Facing U.S. Call for Rules
Marketplace lenders need to be more transparent about their business practices and some should be subject to additional oversight from U.S. regulators, according to a Treasury Department study released as the industry grapples with market turmoil and a scandal involving one of its leading firms.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- lending, regulations
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Sierra Leone Solar Push Aims to Bring Electricity to All by 2025
Sierra Leone aims to provide electricity to all of its 6 million citizens by 2025 in a push to boost the economy, expand crucial services such as healthcare, and reduce dependency on aid, officials said on Wednesday.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Kenyans Are Embracing Mobile Technology to Access Healthcare
It is estimated that more than half of Kenya’s population earning less than $2.50 (£1.73) per day has access to mobile phones. Kenya’s remarkable growth in mobile technology has led to a digital revolution that can address one of the country’s biggest development priorities – access to universal health coverage.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Laws to Protect Breastfeeding Inadequate
A new report by the WHO, UNICEF, and the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) has revealed that the status of laws to protect breastfeeding in most countries is inadequate.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Viewpoint: The Next Frontier in Social Impact Measurement Isn’t Measurement at All
If we want social capital markets to fund the social sector effectively, we need to use social impact data effectively when making investment decisions. And investment decision-making almost always requires that we compare social impact data across locations, programs, or organizations. This is difficult, because contexts, missions, definitions, measurement approaches, and values differ. It’s always apples to oranges, and this “comparison problem” not only affects good decision-making, but also our ability to report on impact at the investment portfolio level.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Equity Crowdfunding for Non-Rich People Is Coming
Today—unless you have a net worth of at least one million dollars, or an income of at least $200,000 per year—it is not legal for you to receive equity in exchange for backing a company on a crowdfunding site. But as of next May 16, Title III of the JOBS Act goes into effect, bringing equity crowdfunding to the 99%.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- crowdfunding, regulations
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Tight Government Regulation, Paucity of Innovation Limiting Crowdfunding Startups in India
Crowdfunding is globally a $16-billion industry and as per estimates, in 2016 with a total investment volume of $34 billion, it is likely to overtake the amount of equity funding from venture capitalists to startups which is $30 billion.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- crowdfunding, regulations
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