-
Somalia is a leader in mobile money but still wants to print its first cash notes in 25 years
The collapse of the Somali government in 1991 saw the rise of unique political, economic and social outfits, all clambering to fill the void of government institutions. After a few years of relative stability and successful elections, Somalia’s new government hopes to reverse all that. Buoyed by donors, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, the country now wants to resume printing banknotes this year.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Kenya: Safaricom Faces M-Pesa Break Up in Market Dominance War
Telecoms operator Safaricom could be forced to hive off its popular mobile money service M-Pesa if sector regulator, the CA, moves to implement recommendations of a market dominance report.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Education Experts Square Off on the Public Versus Private School Debate in Africa
Although it may seem counterintuitive, nearly three times as many primary school children are enrolled in private schools in developing countries than in developed ones, according to United Nations figures.
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
14 Social Entrepreneurs to Improve Maternal & Child Health in Africa
Today, in Nairobi, Kenya, the GE healthymagination Mother and Child Programme will graduate 14 social entrepreneurs who completed training and mentorship aimed at improving and accelerating maternal and/or child health outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Somalia Is a Leader in Mobile Money But Still Wants to Print Its First Cash Notes in 25 Years
The collapse of the Somali government in 1991 saw the rise of unique political, economic and social outfits, all clambering to fill the void of government institutions. One of them was the emergence of a nonconforming monetary system, controlled by warlords and rogue businessmen, who contracted foreign printers and imported counterfeit money. This left the Somali economy in shambles, largely dependent on dollars for trade, and effectively created a freewheeling “economy without state.”
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
-
M-Pesa: Kenya’s mobile money success story turns 10
Smartphone payments are gaining ground in the US, but mobile money is old news in Kenya. The majority of the East African country's population is subscribed to a mobile payment service, and the most popular choice is M-Pesa, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in March 2017. M-Pesa -- "pesa" means "money" in Swahili -- has made a dramatic impact over this time.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Eat This Peanut Butter, Help Save A Child’s Life
If you order chocolate pretzel peanut spread from a tiny startup based in Boulder, Colorado, you could help save a toddler's life in South Sudan.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- nutrition
-
Safaricom Rejects Regulator’s Surveillance Plan
Kenyan operator Safaricom has expressed its displeasure and hesitation over plans by the industry regulator to monitor mobile phone use, reports Citizen News. This comes after the Communications Authority (CA) announced it would be installing a monitoring device on all operators’ networks to keep an eye on mobile users who may be engaged in illegal activity and curb use of counterfeit phones in the country.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa