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From Grameen Bank to Global Scale: The New Edition of a Classic Book Highlights the Hard Truth – And Enduring Value – Behind Microfinance
In 1996, Grameen Foundation founder Alex Counts published “Small Loans, Big Dreams,” a well-regarded account of the origins and early years of the microfinance sector. Counts recently published a new edition of the book, which reflects on the ongoing evolution of the industry, and responds to critics who have questioned its role in international development. Longtime microfinance leader and analyst Elisabeth Rhyne discusses the book, and explores what these new updates tell us about the current state of the global microfinance sector.
- Categories
- Finance
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Analysis: How Fintech Impacts Financial Inclusivity
According to the World Bank, financial inclusion is one of the main ways to monitor progress in reducing social inequality.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Global
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Latitud’s Tech Report Reveals Opportunities and Trends in Latin America’s Startup Scene
Latitud is creating a suite of solutions to help address the biggest friction points for early-stage entrepreneurs starting businesses in Latin America.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Latin America
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Access, Understanding and Trust: Breaking Down the Barriers to Women’s Participation in India’s Digital Finance Revolution
The digital gender divide has long occupied international development headlines, as gaps remain between men and women in both access to and usage of digital technologies in many emerging economies. According to Anant Nyshadham at Good Business Lab, Shalin Gor and Divya Nair, and Emily Coppel at IDinsight, India is no exception. They explore the three types of obstacles that are preventing Indian women from participating in digital financial services, and share some implications for providers of these services.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
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Goodwell Launches €150 Million uMunthu II Fund to Ignite Inclusive Business Growth in Africa
Today, Goodwell Investments B.V. launched their most ambitious institutional investment fund yet, uMunthu II.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: Tigo Money, Millicom’s Fintech business, and Visa Collaborate to Boost Financial Inclusion Across Latin America
Through this partnership, Visa and Tigo Money seek to expand access to digital payment channels, democratize financial services, and transform the payment journey for millions of consumers.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Latin America
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The Power of Trust in Digital Finance: How to Leverage Trusted Technology to Maximize Inclusion and Impact
Trust can be a significant barrier to engagement in digital financial services among low-income users. According to William Derban at Opportunity International, that means providers must often take measures to address this trust deficit when developing digital services that target these customers — particularly women. He discusses Opportunity International's new Trusted Tech Microfinance Initiative, and shares six ways the initiative is working to build clients’ trust in the technologies Opportunity and its microfinance partners are using.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology, Telecommunications
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Financial Inclusion: African Development Bank Group To Channel $150 Million To SMEs In Africa
The African Development Bank Group has said it will channel $150 million in funding to Small and Medium Enterprises through Financial institutions across Africa.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- financial inclusion, MSMEs
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