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Not easy selling insurance to the bottom of the pyramid, even at $1 a month
The majority of Tanzania’s low-income and informal workers do not have access to insurance and struggle to pay for health services. Entrepreneur Lilian Makoi, co-founder of technology company Edgepoint, last year unveiled Jamii (previously named bimaAFYA) – a health insurance product users can buy for as little as $1 a month.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Zimbabwe introduces electronic Point of Sale terminals at all public institutions – but leaves out mobile money
This is expected to ease the challenges being faced with the current cash crisis that has gripped the country. It also follows the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s announcement on the reduction of bank charges that have lowered the cost of POS transactions to between 10 cents and 45 cents per transaction.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Mark Zuckerberg’s foundation is investing millions in a company that trains coders in Africa
Andela, the Lagos-based company that trains and deploys software developers, is closing a $24 million Series B round—with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), founded by Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan, leading the round.'
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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PEG completes $7.5 million round to expand activities in West Africa
PEG, an off-grid solar company in Ghana, announced that it has closed a $7.5 million Series A round. The funding will be used to expand operations in Ghana, build out the management team, and to enter Ivory Coast. PEG has over 10,000 customers and operates 29 service centers in 7 regions of Ghana.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Telcos in Ghana to begin interest payments to mobile money subscribers
Some telecommunication companies are concluding moves to pay interests to their various subscribers once the Bank of Ghana directs on how the payments must be done.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Safaricom, Kenya’s Largest Telecom To Launch Taxi Hailing Service To Compete With Uber
Kenya largest telecom, Safaricom, plans to launch a taxi hailing service, known as Littlecabs, that will compete with Uber in the local market.
- Categories
- Transportation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- transportation
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IFC, CGAP, SECO launch initiative to expand financial inclusion in Ghana
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, together with the State Secretariat of Economic Affairs of Switzerland, SECO, and the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor, CGAP, on June 8 launched the Ghana Digital Financial Services Initiative to advance financial inclusion in Ghana through the use of new technology and innovative business models.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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In the lab: six innovations scientists hope will end malaria
After being abandoned as too ambitious in 1969, global plans to eliminate malaria are back on the agenda, with financial backing from the world's richest couple, Bill and Melinda Gates, and U.S. President Barack Obama.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- research
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