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Covid-19 attack limits MFI outreach
Microfinance firms are slowing down new loan disbursements in the country’s rural heartland as a direct fallout of the coronavirus outbreak. They are also facing non-repayment from borrowers whose earnings may take a hit as the country goes into lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Tags
- microfinance
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54gene’s Fund to increase coronavirus testing in Nigeria hits $500,000 in 24hrs
54gene, the African genomics research, services, and development company, has launched a fund to tackle the current challenges around testing for COVID-19 in Nigeria. To support the ongoing efforts of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control [NCDC], 54gene opened the fund by donating $150,000 and within 24 hours of launch, had already secured an additional $350,000 from partners including Union Bank. The money raised will help increase COVID-19 testing capacity in the country by up to 1,000 additional tests a day, by buying testing instruments and the required biosafety materials such as biosafety cabinets and personal protective equipment needed to keep frontline healthcare workers safe.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care, Investing, Technology
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This Virus Is Ravaging Rich Countries. What Happens When It Hits the Poor Ones?
The ebola epidemic of 2014 is still fresh in the mind in sub-Saharan African countries; it was an experience that showed prevention and containment are the only hope of fending off thousands of deaths.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Bridge Loans Can Aid Nonprofits and Social Enterprises Through the Covid-19 Crisis
“We sometimes refer to our work as the everyday emergency room of impact—our borrowers are coming to us during a time of crisis when something outside their control has gone wrong,” says Maya Winkelstein, chief executive officer of Open Road Alliance, a philanthropic initiative based in New York.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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WHO Launches Global Health Alert for Coronavirus on WhatsApp
The services uses an AI chatbot to provide updated information on the pandemic, including how to protect yourself, questions and answers, and the latest news and press coverage.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care, Technology
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How the Coronavirus Pandemic Will Affect Venture Capital Dealmaking
Businesses need to adapt and continue both during the current crisis and to prepare for the eventual upturn once the situation improves. This includes raising capital through venture capital funding.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
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Zimbabwe’s Lack of Cash for Once Is a Good Thing
“It’s a big advantage,” Eddie Cross, a member of the central bank’s monetary policy committee, said of the cashless environment. Reserve Bank Governor John Mangudya last week urged lenders to ensure uninterrupted continuity with all digital banking platforms, which were the “safest and most secure forms” of transacting.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Coronavirus, Economic Meltdown And The World Of Impact: Insights From Allie Burns Of Village Capital
Allie Burns is CEO of Village Capital, which has run early-stage startup accelerators and boot camps for social enterprises since its founding in 2009.
- Categories
- Coronavirus