-
WhatsApp gives Facebook a lock on the planet’s next billion mobile internet users
WhatsApp is “the de facto standard for messaging” in Africa, offering ”an awesome messaging experience to the middle billion, those living on $10 a day” or less, as TextIt, a Rwanda-based tech company, explains in this blog post. It does that through its Java 2 Mobile Edition (J2ME) version, designed to work on regular (non-smart) phones. Though that’s scarcely been mentioned in the acquisition hullabaloo, it’s huge considering how limited smartphone penetration is in Africa.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
New Grant to Aid Businesses Creating Jobs, Services for Poor
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and development partners will use a new $3.6 million grant to support around 20 private sector businesses in Asia targeting poor and low-income communities.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
Bata targets low-income markets
Czech footwear maker works with village vendors to sell low-cost shoes in rural areas of Bangladesh, Colombia and Bolivia.
- Categories
- Environment, Impact Assessment
-
Goldman Sachs, Mitsui PEs invest Rs 315 cr in Global Beverages
Global Beverages & Foods (GBF), promoted by fomer Godrej group head A Mahendran, has raised Rs 315 crore from Goldman Sachs and Mitsui Global Investment to build a large, fast-moving consumer goods platform.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Gates-Funded Future Toilet That Will Change How We Think About Poop
The inside story of how Caltech engineers and Kohler designers are testing a toilet technology that could significantly improve the health of 2.5 billion people around the world. It might even appear in U.S. bathrooms, too.
- Categories
- Health Care
-
Indian bank launches “Branch on Wheels”
The 'Branch on Wheels' is a first of its kind initiative by any private sector bank in India.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
Mastercard Exec Discusses Business Opportunities and Challenges in India
India has some challenges because it is such a huge country. The population is divided into different strata of people whom you are trying to reach out to.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
-
Visa Partners with Airtel in Kenya to Launch Global Mobile Money Visa Card
According to Visa’s Head of Emerging Products & Innovation for Africa, Dougie Henderson said: “This strategic partnership with Airtel and Chase Bank brings the benefits of electronic payments to the under banked in Kenya by being innovative in mobile money services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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.