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Bringing Technology to Microfinance in the Age of Data Scandals: European Microfinance Award Seeks Solutions
Fintech advances are often heralded for bringing financially excluded people into the mainstream. But Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent appearance before Congress is a stark reminder of the need for protection from – along with access to – technology. This year's European Microfinance Award is seeking organizations whose tech-enabled financial solutions place client protection at the forefront.
- Categories
- Finance, Social Enterprise, Technology
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Delhi-based fintech startup Affordplan raises Series B round
Affordplan, a Delhi-based fintech startup that makes healthcare services accessible through planned savings for non-emergency treatments, has raised fresh capital in its Series B round from a clutch of investors.
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, startups, venture capital
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Fidor, IFC partner to expand digital financial inclusion in Africa and Latin America
Digital banking services provider Fidor has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank, to expand digital banking services in Africa and Latin America.
- Categories
- Finance
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South African Fintech Startup JUMO Bags USD 3 Mn In Equity Investment From Proparco
JUMO leverages the mobile networks to provide loans and savings-products to its customers. It has developed a credit scoring algorithm which helps customers to unlock the value of their digital footprints by giving an accurate estimation of their creditworthiness.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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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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