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Innovations in Financial Inclusion: Delivering Capital to MSMEs and Growing Businesses in India
India's 51 million-plus micro, small and medium enterprises are critical drivers of growth in the nation's economy, employing an estimated 115 million people. But due to several factors, including information asymmetry, the sector has been unable to access credit as readily as larger corporations. Intellegrow CEO Akbar Khan discusses some innovations and initiatives that are helping deliver capital to these vital businesses.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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Entrepreneurship is a Skill, Not a Talent: The Power of the Group-Based Graduation Model
Village Enterprise implements a cost-effective, group-based, one-year graduation program for rural Africans who live on less than $1.90 per day. The organization believes that entrepreneurship is not just for the naturally business-minded, it's a skill like leadership or teamwork that can be fostered and learned. Its aim, therefore, is to unlock the potential of those who are entrepreneurs by nature and instill the skills of entrepreneurship in those who are not.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
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Finca launches Pakistan’s first ever digital wallet
SimSim, a mobile payment platform, was introduced in partnership with Finja – an internationally funded FinTech startup – at a launch event Thursday night at Mohatta Palace, Karachi. The event was attended by major industry stakeholders, government officials, artists, tech enthusiasts and media figures.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Boosting Gender Equality Through Entrepreneurship: A Q&A with Pro Mujer CEO Maria Cavalcanti
Maria Cavalcanti is president and CEO of Pro Mujer, one of the largest women’s development organizations in Latin America. In this Q&A, she discusses the changing nature of women entrepreneurship, the organization's embrace of technology and for-profit structures, and her ambitious plans to make Pro Mujer "a one-stop shop for empowerment for women in the region."
- Categories
- Health Care
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One Million Colombians Entered the Formal Financial System for the First Time in 2016
Of those who were added to that total last year, more than half were women and more than 70% were between the ages of 18 and 40.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Latin America
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To Fix the Gender Gap, Fix the Digital Divide
Most job growth will come from STEM fields, yet women make up only 12 percent of engineering students. That’s why MIT’s new Solve initiative launched a Women and Technology Challenge asking for technology-fueled solutions that enable women and girls’ full participation in the economy. Selected solutions will receive support from cross-sector leaders interested in investing in innovative social impact projects – the Solve challenge deadline is Aug. 1.
- Categories
- Education, Finance, Impact Assessment, Technology
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Bitcoin – an opportunity for African trade?
Bitcoin continues to be the subject of much debate and controversy, but for many African companies the choice is simple. For them, the cryptocurrency is not at all related to anonymous black market business – it’s about enabling them to flourish. Sanne Wass speaks with Elizabeth Rossiello of BitPesa to find out more.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Metlife Foundation, Sisimpur unveil new initiative
Part of a global multimedia programme aimed at helping young children and their parents acquire healthy financial skills and behaviours, the initiative provides engaging content featuring Muppets from Sisimpur, the Bangladeshi version of Sesame Street, with effective strategies for spending, saving, sharing, and donating, said a statement.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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