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M-Pesa, Western Union and Amazon could potentially disrupt Jumia’s e-commerce business
Three countries — Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa — dominate e-commerce sales. Kenya has a population of 48.5 million and an impressive 79 percent internet penetration. This is because Kenya is home to M-Pesa, the mobile wallet provider started by mobile telecom provider Safaricom. The availability of a secure payment system encourages internet access and online buying.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Can India’s largest electric vehicle maker short circuit Ola and Uber’s smooth ride?
After years of a virtual duopoly, the Indian app-based ride-hailing market is witnessing a disruption of sorts. So what exactly does last month’s launch of Mahindra & Mahindra’s (M&M) Glyd mean for incumbents Ola and Uber?
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Mexican central bank in talks with Amazon about new mobile payments
The payment system, known as CoDi, is being built by central bank Banco de México, known as Banxico. CoDi will allow customers to make payments online and in person through smartphones free of charge using QR codes.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Latin America
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Digital commerce will transform African economies, starting with cheaper phones
Growth could have a massive impact on African countries, with their young and increasingly urban populations. But most governments are not ready.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- e-commerce, employment
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ATMs For Medicine? That’s One Way Pharmacies Are Going Digital
Officially, the ATM-like machines are called Pharmacy Dispensing Units. They cost about $159,000 each are being funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and other global organizations.
- Categories
- Health Care, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Regarding Facebook’s cryptocurrency
This is not Facebook’s first venture into virtual currencies, payments, or peer-to-peer payments via messenger app.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Report: Biodiversity crisis: Technological advances in agriculture are not a sufficient response
Rapid population and economic growth are destroying biodiversity. A growing demand for agricultural products requires ever new cultivated areas. Even though technological advances are making agriculture more efficient, the growing population makes up for these successes. Effective nature conservation needs concepts against population growth and for sustainable consumption.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment, Technology
- Tags
- agtech
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Millions of Ugandans quit internet services as social media tax takes effect
In the three months following the introduction of the levy, the number of internet subscriptions to such services fell by more than 2.5 million, according to the Uganda Communications Commission. Fears have been raised over the impact on the economy.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- public policy