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GSMA unveils mobile money mark of excellence
Mobile money services will be independently tested against several criteria to determine if they deliver secure, reliable financial services. This includes elements around protecting consumer rights, while also combating money laundering and preventing the financing of terrorism.
- Categories
- Finance
- Tags
- fintech, mobile finance, regulations
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A ‘miracle’ in India will disrupt e-wallets and incumbents
As countries around the globe endure fragmented payment markets, where citizens and businesses suffer from cash dependency, poor accessibility, high transaction costs and low interoperability between different payment systems, India’s Unified Payment Interface presents a miracle model that other developing economies can emulate, as they look to move away from cash-centricity and overhaul their own payments infrastructure in pursuit of speed, security, auditability and financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Bending the Arc of Humanity – Effective Development of Exponential Technologies to Serve Mankind
Exponential technologies such as big data, the internet of things and artificial intelligence can transform lives in poor countries. But Akhtar Badshah – who led Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts for 10 years – highlights some risks alongside that potential. The main question, he says, is how to bridge the gap between those who quickly benefit from these technologies, and those who are left behind.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise, Technology
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MENA FinTech market to attract $2 billion in deals
The current MENA fintech market is estimated at $2 billion and expected to witness an annual growth of $125 million until 2022, according to MENA Research Partners (MRP).
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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M-Pesa, Paypal deal to jolt Equity’s control
On market trends, the deal is likely to be a blow to Equity Bank which has dominated the Paypal transaction market in the Country since 2013.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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No One Should be ‘Scared to Live too Long’ – Innovating Insurance for the Elderly
After a chilling conversation with his family housekeeper about her fear of "living too long" and becoming a burden on her family, Tyron Fouche was inspired to start Nobuntu, an insurance plan for low-income South Africans. Combining an ancient risk-sharing design with modern tools like chatbots and biometric tech, the plan offers customers an income that actually increases as they get older. Fouche discusses Nobuntu's innovative model – and the big challenges it faces – in the latest post in NextBillion’s "Startup Showcase" series.
- Categories
- Finance, Social Enterprise
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PayPal, Safaricom partnership enables cross-border mobile payments in Kenya
“PayPal’s collaboration with M-PESA is part of the company’s long-term strategy to enable eCommerce and democratise financial services on the African continent,” says Efi Dahan, General Manager for the Middle East, Africa and Russia, PayPal.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
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Omidyar Network Led $2.8 Mn Seed Funding Round In Fintech Startup Kaleidofin
Chennai-based fintech startup Kaleidofin has raised over $2.8 Mn in seed funding from Omidyar Network. Blume Ventures and individual investors – including Israeli serial entrepreneur and inventor, Professor Shlomo Ben-Haim – have also participated in the round. This is Professor Ben-Haim’s first investment in India.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia