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Job Growth is More than Digital Job Growth: Why Both Online and Offline Enterprises Deserve Investor Support
The appeal of the tech-driven economy can be hard for investors to resist. But Liliosa Mbirimi at the Leila Janah Foundation argues that focusing exclusively on the digital realm can exclude many offline entrepreneurs that are making major contributions to job creation in emerging markets. She discusses the need for investors to support both digital and non-digital entrepreneurs, and shares learnings from the Foundation's efforts to provide this support in Kenya and Uganda.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
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NextBillion’s Most Influential Articles of 2023: Announcing the Three Winners of our Annual Contest
As 2024 gets underway, we'd like to announce the results of NextBillion’s annual “Most Influential Article of the Year” contest. This year's contest featured a strong slate of articles, covering a diverse array of topics ranging from systems change to decarbonization, in sectors that included energy, agriculture, finance and more. We've highlighted the three winners, as selected by our readers, in this article.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology, WASH
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World Bank Helps Gabon Finance Digital Transformation Project with $68.5 Million Loan
The project aims at create an environment conducive to accelerating digital transformation.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Announcing NextBillion’s Most Influential Articles of 2023: Cast Your Vote in our Annual Contest by Jan. 7!
As 2023 draws to a close, it’s time for NextBillion’s annual tradition: our “Most Influential Articles of the Year” contest. As we've done since 2012, we've selected 12 of our most-read articles from the past year, inviting readers to vote for the ones that influenced their thinking the most. You can vote multiple times — up to once per hour — during the voting period, which will run from Dec. 22 to 11:59 pm on Jan. 7. Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous new year!
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise, Technology, WASH
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Fintech Startup M-Kopa Expands West Africa’s Operations, Unlocks $10 Million in Digital Credit
The leading fintech platform expands its operations to Ghana, rapidly growing its reach on the continent.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital inclusion, fintech, lending, scale, startups
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Tappi Secures $1.5 Million Pre-Seed Round to Build Online Trust for Africa’s SMEs
The Oversubscribed Funds will Accelerate Trust in Digital Commerce Ecosystem, as tappi Achieves 19% MoM Growth with $3M in Verified Consumer Transactions.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital inclusion, e-commerce, MSMEs
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Making Africa the Animation Capital of the World: A Growing Industry Aims to Take its Place Among its Global Peers
Africa has a rich history in storytelling, as the continent was the site of some of the earliest forms of human creativity. But when it comes to animated works, it has historically been overshadowed by traditional animation powerhouses in the Global North. However, according to Abdulrahman Khedr at Egypt-based animation studio Giraffics, that's beginning to change. He explores how African creators are carving out a unique niche in the animation world, gaining international recognition and bringing substantial economic benefits to the continent.
- Categories
- Technology
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How Fintech is Enabling Progress Toward the SDGs — And Why it’s Time for Investors to Double Down
Due to high interest rates and other macroeconomic challenges, there's been a global slowdown in venture capital funding to tech firms. David Grimaud at Bamboo Capital Partners explains how this lack of investment is impacting fintech companies in emerging markets, putting not only financial inclusion but other development priorities at risk. He explores how fintech innovators are advancing multiple SDGs, and how the investment community — especially impact-focused investors — can better support them.