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Entrepreneur-Friendly Inclusive Finance: A Survey of Brazilian MSMEs Highlights Key Lessons for Lenders
Limited access to traditional credit is a well-known constraint for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and in Brazil, impact-focused lenders like Estímulo are successfully reaching these entrepreneurs with inclusive lending approaches. But as Carla Grados-Villamar at 60 Decibels and Lucas Conrado at Estímulo explain, inclusive finance is not just about disbursing loans — it’s about understanding entrepreneurs’ realities and adapting accordingly. They share findings from 60 Decibels' interviews with over 400 Estímulo loan applicants — both those who did and did not receive a loan — highlighting lessons lenders can use to improve business outcomes for borrowers, and prepare non-borrowers for future credit opportunities.
- Categories
- Finance
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Africa Needs Jobs — the Agri-Food Industry Can Provide Them: How the Sector Can Boost its Impact on Employment Across the Continent
Sub-Saharan Africa’s working-age population is projected to increase by more than 20 million per year until 2050. Yet according to Loïc De Cannière at Incofin Investment Management, the region created "only" 9 million jobs per year on average during the first two decades of this century. He argues that if job growth can't keep pace with this growing demographic, unemployment will likely lead to more poverty, societal unrest and migratory pressures. The solution, he explains, is to support the industries with the biggest potential for job creation, starting with the agri-food sector. (His article aligns with the two decades of agriculture-related insights NextBillion is currently highlighting on our homepage below, in recognition of our 20th anniversary.)
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing
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RADIANT YACU of Rwanda Wins European Microfinance Award 2025
"RADIANT YACU’s model bundles affordable hospital cash and funeral cover with microfinance services, leveraging group structures to make enrolment simple and premiums sustainable."
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: REACH Launched at the World Health Summit 2025 as Asia’s First Dedicated Hub in Addressing the Health Impacts of Climate Change
"Now inviting researchers, institutions, organisations and industries across South and Southeast Asia to co-create climate resilient health solutions through a landmark regional funding opportunity."
- Categories
- Environment, Health Care
- Region
- South Asia
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Tackling Climate Disinformation Is on the COP30 Agenda
A Declaration on Information Integrity was launched at COP30 where signatory countries committed to address climate disinformation and promote accurate, evidence-based information around climate change.
- Categories
- Environment
- Region
- Global
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Climate Summit or Industry Trade Fair?
In collaboration with InfluenceMap, Transparency International analysed how companies attending COPs engage with climate policy.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Environment
- Region
- Global
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Green Digital Action Hub to Accelerate Innovation for a Sustainable Future: New Global Nerve Centre Will Harness Digital Technology for Climate Action and Sustainable Development for All
The GDA Hub will provide tools, expertise, and data to help nations scale up green technologies, reduce environmental footprint of technology and ensure access to sustainable digital solutions for all.
- Categories
- Environment, Technology
- Region
- Global
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Press Release: Grameen Foundation and Yunus Social Business Unite to Build the Future of Locally Led Development
Together, Grameen Foundation and Yunus Social Business will harness blended finance, agribusiness investments, and innovative agricultural solutions to deliver transformative, locally led programs across multiple regions.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Global
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