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Unable to Get Credit, African Entrepreneurs Turn to Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is a way to raise money from a large number of people via the Internet to fund a project. The concept is well established in the West, but is still new in Africa. A World Bank project in Kenya has launched a mentorship program to help business owners take advantage of crowdfunding, which some say could help replace the kind of aid they currently receive from NGOs.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- crowdfunding
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Bamboo Bike Business Changing Youth Employment in Ghana
It’s bespoke, beautifully formed, and changing the face of transport in Ghana. The bamboo bicycle is gaining traction in the country and one organization is riding this popularity wave to increase youth employment in the process.
- Categories
- Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- transportation
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World Bank Boosts Financial Inclusion in Cameroon
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has recently announced an advisory services agreement with Mircrofinance Institute Advans Cameroun geared at expediting the rate of financial inclusion in Cameroon by expanding the range and reach of services available to underserved urban and rural populations.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Nigerian Banks Intensify Efforts on Customer Biometric Registration
In an effort to reduce incidents of fraud and protect customer accounts from unauthorised access, the Bankers’ Committee has intensified efforts on the enrolment of bank customers on the Bank Verification Number (BVN). BVN involves the registration of customers in the financial system using biometric technology making accounts more secure using unique identifiers such as fingerprint.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Pantera Leads $1.1 Million Funding for African Bitcoin Startup BitPesa
Kenya-based bitcoin services provider BitPesa has raised $1.1m as part of a new funding round led by hedge fund Pantera Capital.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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West Africa Lags in Mobile Money Usage
While most regions in Africa are recording significant uptake of mobile money, the West African region is lagging behind, according to a new report.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments
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Call for Mines to Invest in African Health Systems
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, has called for mining houses to invest in centres for disease control to help fight Tuberculosis and Ebola in African regions where they mine.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- impact investing
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Ethiopia Backs Mobile Players for Financial Inclusion
Two mobile money platforms have launched in Ethiopia, as the country looks to improve the take-up of bank services.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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