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Can Microlenders Make a Comeback?
Once hailed as a game-changer for the impoverished, microlenders are falling behind in the digital race while online lenders and commercial banks poach their turf.
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Viewpoint: The Critical Role of Microfinance Institutions Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) have been critical in providing financial services for these vulnerable people and like their clients, MFIs are negatively affected by the economic impacts of the crisis.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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The UN Development Goals Are ‘Seriously off Track,’ an Expert Says
Reducing inequality within and among countries is a Sustainable Development Goal that is not progressing, as evidenced in demonstrations that erupted in many parts of the United States and abroad this year.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Education, Impact Assessment
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Viewpoint: Fintech Innovators Can’t Let the Coronavirus Derail Financial Inclusion
Many of us take it for granted, but accessing basic financial services is fundamental to our economic and social development. It is hard to "get on" if you are forced to hide life savings under the mattress, or rely on predatory loan sharks for credit.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
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Africa’s Fast-Growing Tourism Industry Could Lose up to $120 Billion and Millions of Jobs
“Tourism is one of the largest industries worldwide and provides 7% of Africa’s GDP,” says Dr. Annika Surmeier, an economic geographer working at the University of Manchester and the University of Cape Town. “National lockdowns and travel bans to reduce the spread of Covid-19 had devastating effects on the tourism industry and hundreds of thousands of people, often women or people from poor communities, have lost their jobs.”
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Fintech Platform CNote Gives Socially Conscious Investors New Ways to Battle Inequality: An Interview With Catherine Berman
Catherine Berman is CEO and cofounder of CNote, an innovative fintech platform that unlocks new investment opportunities for retail and institutional investors. Working with mission-aligned community lenders, CNote aims to close the wealth gap by allowing anyone to invest in small businesses, affordable housing and economic development in financially underserved communities, with a focus on lending to women and minorities.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Tackling the Creative Economy Financing Gap: How Short-Term Capital Can Unlock Long-Term Impact Among Artisan Businesses
An estimated 3% of global GDP comes from creative industries – and the sector is growing quickly in the developing world. Laura Callanan at Upstart Co-Lab and Christopher van Bergen at Nest Inc. argue that now is the time to shape the creative economy to be more inclusive and sustainable. But for that to happen, the industry must first address its funding gap.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Investing
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UK Government Aims Fintech Industry at Africa
UK government is building fintech relationships with developing countries, beginning with a pilot programme in Africa.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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