-
Safaricom Cautions Kenya Over Higher Taxes
Kenyan mobile operator, Safaricom, has warned the government that further increases in Excise Tax – a duty levied on goods or services for sale – will make mobile payment services less affordable for poorer citizens.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Editorial: E-banking requires better technology support for operation
Mobile banking is gaining ground among the people of the country since the Bangladesh Bank (BB) formulated a guideline nearly two years ago. Mobile banking grew at a faster pace, proving that it is more useful than the formal banking. Transaction through mobile banking service has been increasing at a rate of 20 per cent every month. Some 7.2 million people now make the use of different services under mobile banking services through more than one lakh outlets across the country.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
Digital payments key to financial inclusion, says Gates report
Digital payments systems are key to providing wider access to financial services, but customers in developing countries may have to pay each time they use them in order for the economics to stack up, according to a new report on financial inclusion from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Vikram Akula tries a second coming at SKS Microfinance
Vikram Akula, the poster boy of Indian microfinance who ran into trouble in the company he founded after it was listed, may be eyeing a return to its top post, with a key shareholder backing him.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- microfinance
-
Let’s Make Money More
Impact investing is still seen as a niche market – yet to “cross the chasm” into the mainstream, as we say in the technology world.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- impact investing
-
Africa: Early Childhood Survival Improving Globally
More children are surviving their early years and maturing into adolescence than in the past, and the international community is celebrating the progress. The World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and the United Nations' Population Division report data September 13 showing that child deaths worldwide were down by almost half in 2012 as compared to 1990. More than 12 million children under age 5 died, mostly from preventable causes, in 1990. In 2012, the annual number of young deaths was down to 6.6 million.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
BDC Venture Capital allocates $135 million more to healthcare innovation, broadens investment strategy
As part of its mandate to support Canadian entrepreneurs, BDC Venture Capital announced today it has allocated $135 million in new capital to direct venture investments in innovative healthcare companies. That brings its total direct commitment to the sector to $270 million. Recognizing a massive and growing market opportunity, the BDC Venture Capital Healthcare Fund will broaden its investment strategy and invest in technology, products and services that aim to dramatically improve global healthcare productivity, efficiency and patient outcomes.
- Categories
- Health Care, Investing
-
IMS Health and BroadReach Healthcare Announce Strategic Alliance in Africa
IMS Health and the Life Sciences division of BroadReach Healthcare today announced a strategic alliance to deliver comprehensive advisory and commercial effectiveness solutions for life sciences organizations operating in Africa. The alliance brings together IMS Health’s industry-leading information, analytics, consulting and technology capabilities with BroadReach Healthcare’s deep knowledge of the African healthcare landscape and local regulatory environment. Life sciences organizations will gain immediate access to information and services that support market assessment, market entry planning and commercial implementation across the continent.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa