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After Fintech, Jumia Is Betting on Spinning off Its Logistics Arm To Deliver Profits
When it first launched in Nigeria in 2012, Jumia quickly realized just how much work was needed to build a logistics service that could enable its e-commerce ambitions across the continent.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Digital Access Matters: The Benefits of Bringing High-Speed Internet To Low-Income Communities During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has led people around the world to work and shop from home – but as Dirk-Jan Koeman and Kara Ing at Poa Internet point out, this is easier for some than others. For instance, in densely-populated urban areas in Kenya, the lack of high-speed internet makes working from home almost impossible. They discuss how Poa is bringing these households online, and share research on how these newly connected customers are using the internet.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Social Enterprise, Technology, Telecommunications, Transportation
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Catalyst Fund, Mastercard Foundation, MEST Launch $4.3 Million Inclusive Digital Commerce Accelerator in Ghana
Catalyst Fund has partnered the Mastercard Foundation and MEST to launch its Inclusive Digital Accelerator programme in Ghana, the first expansion of its flagship inclusive fintech programme.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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East African E-Commerce Startup Wins Global Innovation Challenge
The company uses data tracking analysis to gain insight into the shopping trends of the communities and provide competitive prices from manufacturers.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- e-commerce, fintech, innovation
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Can Agile Fintech Startups Be the Answer To Food Insecurity During the COVID-19 Crisis?
COVID-19 lockdowns have threatened small and medium enterprises and vulnerable families around the world. And as Malika Anand and Michelle Hassan at BFA Global point out, inclusive fintech startups are often better-placed than aid agencies to support communities and businesses in urban settlements during the pandemic. They explore how one innovative startup, Sokowatch, has developed a quick and effective way to fight food insecurity in Kibera, Nairobi – while also supporting small local retailers.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
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An Emerging Cornerstone of Last-Mile Distribution: The Power of Data and Process Digitalization
Social enterprises at the last mile are working relentlessly to close the gap in achieving the SDGs. But since their customers are generally underprivileged, they're also very sensitive to a product’s price, which means boosting efficiency is key to increasing these businesses' profitability. Thibault Lesueur and Simon Schaffner at Solaris Offgrid explore how process digitalization and interoperable software systems can streamline last-mile distribution and help these enterprises scale.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Ugandan Ecommerce Platforms Power Recovery From COVID-19 Crisis
David Akanshumbusha sells groceries at a stall in Nakawa market on the outskirts of the Ugandan capital, Kampala.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
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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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