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Speculating on the Future of Financial Inclusion: Predictions, Solutions (and Warnings) for the Next 20 Years
We live in extraordinary times: In the next 20 years, futuristic technologies like drones, driverless cars, virtual reality and robotics will transform communities and entire industries. Meanwhile, says MSC founder Graham Wright, breakthroughs in areas like artificial intelligence, big data and mobile connectivity will have a similar impact on financial inclusion. Wright makes some bold predictions, and highlights the trends and technologies that are likely to play important roles in the sector’s development.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Report: West Africa’s Mobile Money to Hit $70bn in 2023
The study attributed the expected rise in mobile money contribution to the rising mobile phone ownership and the ongoing migration to mobile broadband networks and services across the West African region, Nigeria inclusive.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Four Reasons Kenya’s Economy Might Not Be as Inclusive as You Think
When it comes to building inclusive economic systems, Kenya is often held up as a global standard. And with 73% mobile money penetration and 82% financial inclusion rates, it's easy to see why. But as Brigit Helms at DAI points out, the “Silicon Savannah” isn't always as inclusive as it seems. She explores four reasons why the country is still falling short in serving its most excluded communities and customers.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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This startup lets users watch ads to get free mobile service
Instead of paying your cell phone bill in cash, Moolah Mobile lets you pay for your service as you use it, by putting ads on your home screen.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- North America
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Report: Sub-Saharan Africa 2nd worst region in mobile gender gap
"Mobile access and use has grown dramatically in LMICs [low- and middle-income countries] in recent years, but not equally. A gender gap in both mobile ownership and mobile Internet use persists across these markets, and is significantly wider in certain regions, particularly South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa," the report says.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Digital Inclusion by Way of Backpack: A Q&A with Imcon International CEO Rob Loud
Internet access has the potential to transform livelihoods in a myriad of ways – and financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and education are just a few of the sectors that stand to benefit. However, despite growing global internet use, billions in rural, hard-to-reach areas still lack access, representing a massive missed opportunity. In this Q&A, Imcon International CEO Rob Loud shares how his company is partnering with governments and NGOs to increase connectivity in the last mile through an affordable, simple device – the humble backpack.
- Categories
- Education, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Press release: GSMA Study Reveals 250 Million More Women Became Mobile Owners in Low- and Middle-Income Countries since 2014
Women remain 10 per cent less likely than men to own a mobile phone in low- and middle-income countries, and 23 per cent less likely than men to use mobile internet.
- Categories
- Technology
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Press release: Mindtree.org Launches Social Inclusion Platform to Democratize Technology for Micro-Entrepreneurs
The purpose of the Mindtree.org digital platforms is to make digital technology and professional services accessible to millions of local entrepreneurs working in the informal economy. These initiatives help to set up profitable micro-businesses, connected communities and networked marketplaces, improving their income and standard of living.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia