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The bank of SMS
AFRICA is the continent where “mobile money”—monetary transactions on mobile phones—is by far the most advanced. According to a new survey of financial habits by the Gates Foundation, the World Bank and Gallup, in 20 countries more than 10% of adults said that they had used mobile money at some point in the previous 12 months; 15 of those countries were in Africa.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Emerging markets forecast to drive dairy industry boom
AT A time when SA’s dairy industry is losing milk producers because of the sector’s limited viability, an international index has forecast growth for the industry from an expected rise in prosperity and buying power among consumers in emerging markets including Africa.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Africa Progress Panel calls on African governments to drive towards MDGs
African governments and donor countries should launch a "big push" this year towards meeting the millennium development goals (MDGs), according to a high-level panel.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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New Apps for the Bottom Billion
When it comes to mobile communications, there's still a lot of room for innovation at the bottom. In Bangalore, India, researchers from the University of Toronto and Microsoft are now imagining new business models for the world's poorest phone owners by adapting a little-known protocol that can receive pictures as bitmapped text messages. The technology could readily be used in the roughly 1.5 billion low-end Nokia and Samsung phones in circulation.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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India Needs to Liberalize Further to Combat Poverty: Pitroda
The U.S.-India Business Council, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, held the first annual U.S. India Business Summit-West, titled “Building Bridges, Fostering Innovation,” at the Rosewood Sand Hill Hotel here April 26 and 27 (Read: India-US N-Deal 'One of My Proudest Moments': Condi Rice).
- Region
- South Asia
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Intellecap Impact Investment Network (I3N) signs partnership agreement with global investor network Toniic
The Intellecap Impact Investment Network ('I3N'), India's first network of angel investors focused on investments with high social impact announced the signing of a new partnership agreement with global impact investor network Toniic. I3N aims to facilitate investments in early stage enterprises that generate financial returns while demonstrating a social and/or environmental impact. Currently there are few avenues in India for pre-venture capital funding and capacity building for these enterprises. I3N is addressing this gap by creating a strong community of experienced angel investors that can invest in, and provide support to young entrepreneurs and enterprises in high impact sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, clean energy, financial inclusion, and rural businesses. I3N has over 20 members comprising high net worth individuals as well as institutional funds that will collaborate to co-invest in these social enterprises. To date, I3N has presented over 15 opportunities to its network members, and is currently facilitating its first set of investments.
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Shopping for a Better World
To be successful in business today, a company must do more than just sell a good product. According to a recent study (pdf), 80 percent of Americans are likely to switch brands, if comparable in price and quality, to one that supports a social cause.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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World Bank unit, MasterCard Foundation boost crucial small loans in Africa
A World Bank partner devoted to developing the private sector and The MasterCard Foundation will spend millions of dollars so more impoverished Africans can get loans and other financial services, officials said.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
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