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‘It is Time to Rethink Microfinance’: Exploring a Sector in Transition in the Asia Pacific Region
The Asia Pacific microfinance sector is changing. Its MFIs have seen rampant growth, and the enterprises they serve have financing requirements that are growing more complex. In response, some MFIs are adapting their business models into different types of financial institutions, such as small banks. In short, the sector is evolving from a niche segment to a mainstream industry – with all the challenges and opportunities that implies. The Asia Pacific Microfinance Forum will discuss this evolution in Singapore on October 30-31, bringing together MFIs, NGOs, impact investors, entrepreneurs and others, all committed to building a better world.
- Categories
- Finance
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Twice as many African presidents made it to China’s Africa summit than to the UN general assembly
A Quartz analysis of the African principals who spoke at the general debate using the country list published by the UN shows fewer African presidents attended the general assembly in New York than were at the third summit of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation that took place in Beijing two weeks earlier in September.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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From Talk to Action: The Pressing Need for a Guiding Framework in Impact Investing
As the impact sector grows, a clear need has emerged for a common set of principles that help define what impact investing is – and what it isn’t – as well as how social impact should be measured. At the recent Alpbach Forum, a forum of 40 thought leaders explored these questions, charting a path forward for investors, particularly in emerging markets. Julians Amboko and Julio De Souza of StratLink Africa break down the top takeaways from the forum.
- Categories
- Investing
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Impact Investing Impasse: The Case for 4-Hour Due Diligence
Impact investors are often guilty of stringing along social entrepreneurs with needlessly long due diligence processes, "abusing their power and privilege," says Andy Lower at investing firm A Different Approach to Poverty. Weeks can easily turn to months – a delay that's unfair to entrepreneurs, and unacceptable in other industries. In response, his firm has devised a four-hour due diligence process, which has sparked interest – and a fair amount of push-back – in the sector. Lower discusses the approach in this provocative Q&A.
- Categories
- Investing, NextBillion Originals
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Conference Coming Soon: A Sneak Peek at the e-MFP’s 2018 European Microfinance Week
The fall conference season is in full swing. This week, NextBillion profiles the 2018 European Microfinance Week, coming to Luxembourg Nov. 14-16, which will feature over 500 global microfinance leaders exploring topics that range from serving the needs of smallholders and refugees, to ensuring client protection in digital finance. NextBillion will be a media partner at the event, and we'll be broadcasting a livestream of one of the plenary sessions - a debate on whether smaller MFIs are still relevant in today's market.
- Categories
- Finance
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A Generational Challenge: What We’ve Learned About Addressing Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in developed countries, but in emerging economies, the situation is even more dire. Unemployment rates of 20 percent or higher are common, with some countries reaching as high as 50 percent. Effective solutions will require an urgent, concentrated and collaborative effort, say Emily Coppel of BRAC USA and Patricia Langan of Save the Children. They outline three key lessons for addressing this challenge, previewing a Sept. 24 forum where some of the top development organizations, research institutes and donors will discuss a path forward.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Your Official SOCAP18 Conference Preview – And Last Chance Discount
SOCAP, one of the premier events centered on mobilizing capital for impactful social and environmental change, is right around the corner. Set for Oct. 23-26, 2018 in San Francisco, SOCAP18 is expected to draw thousands of participants and will feature over 500 speakers from the professional impact sphere. In a preview of what's on tap, SOCAP CEO Lindsay Smalling has details on the discussions, a reconfigured format and a special last chance discount for NextBillion readers. And NextBillion will be giving away a FREE ticket to the event to one lucky reader of our weekly e-newsletter next week - subscribe by 12:00 pm EDT Wednesday, Sept. 19 for your chance to win!
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Investing
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Collaboration for Impact: The 2018 Edition of SEEP’s Annual Conference
The SEEP Network's flagship event is less than a month away. The theme of this year's conference, "Collaboration for Impact," will highlight the importance of multi-sector changemaking and empower attendees with the insights needed to take their impact to the next level. The event will feature informative breakout sessions and prominent contributing orgs like Grameen Foundation, USAID and BRAC. Read more in this preview from SEEP program associate Mashal Amjad, including information on how you could win a free ticket from NextBillion.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
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