NextBillion - A WDI Publication

British International Investment Reaffirms Commitment to 2X Challenge and Raises Gender Investment Target to 30 Percent Under New 5-Year Strategy

New UN data shows that 351 million women and girls could still be living in extreme poverty by 2030, underscoring the urgency of accelerating investment in women’s economic empowerment.

Source

British International Investment (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing

Region

Global

Tags

development finance, global development, impact investing, poverty alleviation

Press Release: Gates Foundation Commits US$1 Billion to Help Build and Deliver Equitable AI That Improves Health and Expands Opportunity

New Goalkeepers Report: AI could be a great equalizer, but only if it’s built intentionally to benefit the people who need it most.

Source

Gates Foundation (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, global development, human rights

Odyssey Energy Solutions Raises $74 Million to Accelerate Distributed Renewable Energy Financing in Emerging Markets

The funding will scale Odyssey's platform in regions including Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Source

Odyssey (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Energy, Investing

Region

Global

Tags

business development, distribution, energy access, renewable energy, venture capital

Analysis: The Turbulent AI Era Is Here. The Choices We Make Now Are Critical.

The transition to the AI era will be one of the most turbulent times in human history. Right now, we are not preparing adequately for that transition. If the world takes the right steps, AI will be a force for good and leave everyone better off.

Source

Gates Notes (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, data, global development, human rights, public policy, regulations, research, SDGs

AI’s Impact on the Environment Is Absolutely Horrifying, New Paper Finds

It’s reached the point that AI is giving the fossil fuel industry a substantial leg up, as a new paper published in the journal NPJ Climate Action details.

Source

Futurism (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

artificial intelligence, climate change, corporations, data, decarbonization, human rights, regulations, research

Press Release: World Bank Group Launches Initiative to Help Local Financial Institutions Expand Digital Payments in Emerging Markets

". . . the initiative is expected to increase competition and improve the quality and accessibility of payment services."

Source

IFC (link opens in a new window)

Region

Global

Tags

digital inclusion, digital payments, financial inclusion, fintech, global development, MSMEs

Mastercard Launches Wallet Pay to Scale Digital Wallets Worldwide

Harnessing the industry’s most advanced capabilities, Mastercard Wallet Pay solutions empower wallet providers to deliver frictionless experiences — from everyday spending to cross-border transfers – meeting the demands of a rapidly expanding digital economy.

Source

Mastercard (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

digital inclusion, digital payments, financial inclusion, fintech, innovation, mobile finance, scale

An Important Update on ANDE’s Future and Sunsetting Operations

Danielle Baussan, Interim Executive Vice President for Policy Programs at the Aspen Institute has made the difficult decision to wind down ANDE’s operations and sunset the network by November 2026.

Source

Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Education, Energy, Finance, Health Care, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology

Region

Global

Tags

business development, global development, impact investing, impact measurement, innovation, research