-
MFIN launches mobile app to spread financial literacy
MFIN, an association of the microfinance industry in India, today launched a financial literacy mobile app for clients. The multi lingual financial literacy app will act as a guide and ready reckoner for the clients, said Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN), which mainly caters to underbanked and unbanked population in the country.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
This Is How Cryptocurrencies & Blockchain Could Solve Asia’s Financial Inclusion Issue
In 2016, staff members within the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested that virtual currencies could promote financial inclusion. The IMF issued the standard cautions about how virtual currencies (VCs) might be used for money laundering, terrorism and other nefarious purposes. But it also wrote that, “VCs offer many potential benefits, including greater speed and efficiency in making payments and transfer--particularly across borders--and ultimately promoting financial inclusion.”
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
-
Fintech: Africa welcomes emerging fintech startups
Given financial technology is about smart, innovative, flexible start-ups looking to eat away at traditional financial firms’ intermediary roles, it is not surprising that Africa, with its woefully inefficient banks and sclerotic infrastructure, is feeling the full force of the fintech wave. According to industry players, there is a hive of fintech activity now in most major capitals of Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech, mobile finance
-
UN report: Social network payments now reach nearly US $3 trillion in China
A new UN study reveals that Alipay and WeChat Pay enabled US$2.9 trillion in Chinese digital payments in 2016, representing a 20-fold increase in the past four years. The data shows that digital payments, using existing platforms and networks, provide access to a wider range of digital financial services, expanding financial inclusion and economic opportunity throughout China and neighboring countries.
- Categories
- Technology
-
World Bank Group Launches New Program to Support Africa’s Top Digital Entrepreneurs
The World Bank Group (www.WorldBank.org) launched XL Africa (www.XL-Africa.com), a five-month business acceleration program designed to support the 20 most promising digital start-ups from Sub-Saharan Africa. Start-ups will receive mentoring from global and local experts, learn through a tailor-made curriculum, increase their regional visibility, and get access to potential corporate partners and investors. With support from prominent African investment groups, XL Africa will help the 20 selected start-ups attract early stage capital between $250,000 and $1.5 million.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- fintech
-
Ex-Safaricom chief Joseph set to leave Vodafone
Former Safaricom #ticker:SCOM chief executive Michael Joseph is set to step down as Vodafone’s director of mobile money later this year as part of a wider plan to disengage from all his full-time roles at the telecom giant. Mr Joseph, who is the chairman of Kenya Airways #ticker:KQ, is also set to relinquish his non-executive director positions at Vodafone’s African subsidiaries — Vodacom Mozambique, Vodacom Tanzania and Vodacom Group South Africa.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
India: Hero Enterprises to invest $15.5m in Aavishkaar Bharat Fund
Hero Enterprises today announced a Rs 100 crore ($15.5 million) investment in impact investor Aavishkaar’s new fund, the Aavishkaar Bharat Fund. Aavishkaar Bharat Fund is the investor’s sixth fund, and is a SEBI registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund. The firm is aiming to raise Rs 2,000 Crore ($310 million) for this fund, through which it will invest in businesses engaging with the underserved population in sectors.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech
-
Grameen Foundation lndia appoints Prabhat Labh as CEO
Grameen Foundation India, an innovator in the use of digital technology to advance financial inclusion, has named Prabhat Labh as its new CEO. He succeeds Chandni Ohri who helped to launch the company and has served as CEO since 2011. An international development expert with more than two decades of experience in leading programs and initiatives across Asia, Africa and North America. Prabhat brings with him an indepth knowledge of financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
Subscribe to Our 'Business in Global Development' Newsletter!
Our new weekly LinkedIn newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with curated news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage of impact-focused business in emerging markets.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.