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Outdated but Not Obsolete: Why USSD Is Still Key to Driving Digital Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa
As of late 2019, mobile internet adoption stood at just 26% across sub-Saharan Africa, and internet access remains expensive and unreliable even for people who can afford a smartphone. In light of that reality, Wole Olayinka of insiderPR argues that digital inclusion efforts should embrace USSD, a communications protocol that connects feature phone users to basic digital services even without internet access. He explores the advantages and downsides of this outdated – but surprisingly flexible – technology.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
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Indonesian Farmers Go Digital
Indonesian farmers will be able to harness the power of data to improve their farming practices under a deal signed by the national government and Microsoft.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Giz and Orange Launch an Orange Digital Center in Ethiopia, the 3rd in the Africa and Middle East Region, to Train Young People in Digital Technology and Boost Their Employability
Occupying a space of 500m2, it is the first center in East Africa that will operate as a strategic network, allowing experiences and expertise to be shared between countries and offering a simple and inclusive approach to strengthen the employability of young people, to encourage innovative entrepreneurship and to promote the local digital ecosystem.
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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AV Ventures Invests in AgroCenta, Supporting Digital and Financial Inclusion of Ghanaian Smallholder Farmers
AV Ventures, ACDI/VOCA’s impact investing subsidiary, recently completed its investment in AgroCenta, a technology-driven agricultural platform provider in Ghana.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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World Bank Calls for Unbiased Infrastructure Policy in Ethiopia
“To benefit fully from competition does not mean offering preferential treatment to Ethio Telecom but rather creating a level playing field on which it can compete fairly with its new rivals,” argued Dione.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Nigerian Fintech Startup, Cowrywise, Raises $3 Million Pre-Series a Funding Led by Quona Capital
Nigerian wealth management startup, Cowrywise, has announced that it has raised $3 million pre-series A funding.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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A Tentative Recovery: Survey Data Shows Signs of Progress – and Warnings of Future Distress – Among Kenyan Farmers During COVID-19
It’s estimated that over 50 million people are in need of immediate food assistance in the Horn, East and Central Africa. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues into 2021, Kenyan farmers’ ability to weather this crisis is at the heart of the region’s recovery, say Venu Aggarwal and Kelsey Jarrett at 60 Decibels. They share data 60 Decibels has collected from thousands of Kenyan farmers, revealing both slight improvements since the early days of the crisis, and the danger of more severe, longer-term financial distress.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus, Transportation
- Tags
- COVID-19, data, digital inclusion
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MSME E-Commerce Enabler Shopmatic Sees 40% Revenue Growth Amid COVID; Aims to Turn Cash Positive in 2021
Ease of Doing Business for MSMEs: Shopmatic had acquired CombineSell in October 2019 and Octopus Retail Management in March 2019 while it had partnered with PayU, OnlineSales.ai, United Overseas Bank - Singapore, and CIMB Bank - Malaysia to help SMEs enhance their omnichannel presence.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- Region
- Asia Pacific