-
Analysis: Transformation of India’s Digital Economy: The Rise of Developers and Open Source
With contribution from developers, open source is flourishing in India, but what does this explosive growth mean? What is the economic impact of a thriving developer community? Read on to find out.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
African Development Bank Pays $24 Million to Increase Investment in West African Development Bank
The AfDB also approved a line of credit to support businesses in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, particularly in job-creating sectors.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Accelerating Digital Transformation: Why Technology is the Key to Eliminating the MSME Finance Gap in Emerging Markets
According to the IFC, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets face a finance gap of $5.2 trillion every year. Since MSMEs are responsible for 70% of job opportunities in these countries, this gap must be addressed. According to Brian Pallas at Opportunity Network, that’s where digital technologies can offer a solution. He explores how emerging innovations offer alternative, tech-enabled means of financing for MSMEs, and how business leaders and policymakers can support these enterprises' digital transformation.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
-
Scale Is Overrated: Why the ‘Unicorn Industrial Complex’ is Holding Back Social Enterprise and Emerging Markets Business
Social enterprises and small and growing businesses (SGBs) are the focus of a lot of discussion and excitement in the development sector, as seen in recent SGB coverage on NextBillion and other publications. But Jack Foreman at Foresee Advisors argues that this discussion ignores the needs – and essential natures – of the vast majority of these businesses, particularly in emerging markets. He explains why the focus on scale – and investors' search for the next potential "unicorn" startup – overlook the crucial importance of SMEs that are content to remain small or medium-sized.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
-
Report: COVID-19 Brings 10 Challenges That Hinders Africa’s Path to Recovery
Africa faces 10 key governance challenges it must resolve in order for it to fully recover from the Covid-19 outbreak, according to this report by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Asilimia Secures $2 Million To Build the Financial Infrastructure of Africa’s Informal Economy
Asilimia, a startup that is building the digital infrastructure to connect African MSMEs to the formal financial economy, has secured $2 million.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Press Release: Bessemer Venture Partners Raises $220 Million to Back Founders in India
Bessemer Venture Partners announced the close of a dedicated $220 million fund in India to build on its long-standing success in the country and back the next generation of innovators in India.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Asia Pacific
-
The Systemic Reasons Behind the SGB Investment Gap: Why Investors Need Systems Data in Emerging Markets
Despite over-performing returns, venture capital investment in emerging markets accounts for only about 10% of total VC capital invested, and a significant financing gap remains for small and growing businesses (SGBs) in these environments. Jason Eaves at Discovered Markets presents several multifaceted reasons for this gap, and presents an unexploited solution: using systems data to overcome the biases and lack of market visibility that limit both investors' and other organizations' ability to effectively support SGBs in these markets.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
Subscribe to Our 'Business in Global Development' Newsletter!
Our new weekly LinkedIn newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with curated news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage of impact-focused business in emerging markets.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.