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Analysis: Why Cash Transfers Are an Efficient Method of Reducing Food Insecurity
With high levels of mobile phone and internet penetration, coupled with advanced digital technologies in the financial sector, Kenya has favourable conditions for cash transfers to the most vulnerable populations. However, corruption and lack of reliable data on beneficiaries can derail efforts to make all Kenyans food secure during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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U.S.-Based Fintech Venio Launches Developing World-Focused Smartphone App to Make Nano Loans
The app is the first-ever smartphone-based nano lending service for developing countries, Venio said in a statement.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Analysis: Could Digital Currencies Make Being Poor Less Costly?
Blockchain-based payment systems can bring the more than 1.7 billion people who are unbanked or underbanked (including 25% of U.S. households), into the formal economy. And in doing so, they can render obsolete the expensive, usurious payment and informal financial services those people use to make ends meet.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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COVID Coin?
The COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the long-term shift away from cash, and monetary authorities risk falling behind. A recent report from the G30 argues that if central banks want to shape the outcome, they need to start thinking fast.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Viewpoint: COVID-19 Pandemic Shows the Need to Strengthen Digital Safety Nets for Women
The COVID-19 pandemic threatens to wipe out hard-won gains in global development and gender equality. The World Bank reports that the world faces its first increase in extreme poverty since 1998, with between 71 million and 100 million people set to fall into destitution depending on the pandemic’s course, and the crisis affecting women more negatively than men.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
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Analysis: Digital Financial Inclusion – Kenya and Nigeria Case Studies
Digital financial services are both broadening and speeding up financial inclusion in many African countries – a key factor in accelerating economic growth. In this study, Rafiq Raji looks at their development in Kenya and Nigeria and notes the differences in their impact
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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South African Telecom Operator Telkom Moves into Financial Services
South Africa’s telecom operator Telkom has branched into the competitive space of financial services by launching a life insurance business that it said will initially sell funeral insurance.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Why Don’t Small Retailers Adopt E-Payments?: New Research Suggests the Reasons Behind Merchant Aversion – And Solutions for Stimulating Customer Demand
Mexico's 2.1 million 'tienditas' (small shops) drive most of the country's retail sales – yet 83% of them only accept cash, even though e-payment technology is cheaply accessible. Shreya Kankanhalli at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business and Luz Gomez at Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth explore findings from a field study that's testing ways to promote e-payments.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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