-
Airtel, Tigo claim mobile money first
Two operators in Tanzania launched a service so that subscribers to their rival mobile money services can send and receive cash with one another.Airtel and Tigo claim it is the world’s first cross-network mobile money transfer service.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments
-
Y Combinator Nonprofit Zidisha Changes Microfinance Equation
The nonprofit says it has figured out a way of getting a 90% repayment rate on business loans to the types of people no financial institution would trust–young people in poor African countries without as much as a permanent address.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- lending, microfinance
-
Impact investing soars with $12 million green bond sale by Merrill Lynch
Merrill Lynch Wealth Management advisers sold $12 million in green bonds issued by the World Bank last week, surpassing what the investment bank expected based on similar issuances a few years ago.
- Categories
- Environment
- Tags
- impact investing
-
India telcos agree on mobile banking through SMSs
MUMBAI: Mobile companies have been persuaded by the Narendra Modi government to share a slice of their infrastructure to pave the way for basic banking services through cellphones.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- mobile finance
-
Rwanda: Microfinance Sector Soldiers On Despite Burden of Bad Loans
Sector experts say there is an urgent need to address challenges facing MFIs, especially by empowering the sector to enhance its capacity and performance.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
The Secrets of Starbucks
Twenty years ago in Nepal, the first modern example of social franchising for health – the application of commercial franchising strategies to achieve public health goals – began expanding access to quality health services. This year, PSI and Marie Stopes International, two organizations that have long-employed social franchising to improve health outcomes, came together to create an online course on social franchising, with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
- Categories
- Health Care
-
Michigan Startup Wins Grant to Make Medical Devices for Developing World
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, 80 percent of the world’s medical equipment is designed for only 10 percent of the population. After all, what’s the point of having the latest cutting-edge device if you live in the developing world without a steady source of electricity? However, Grand Rapids, MI-based med tech startup Sisu Global Health is on a mission to help change that statistic.
- Categories
- Health Care
-
Bosch forays into healthcare segment
Auto component major Bosch on Monday announced the launch of a locally developed eyecare solution in India. The company’s new eyescreening and detection system offers a combination of hardware and software and provides affordable eyecare.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.