-
Uganda: Shs1 Billion Loaned Through Mobile Phones
In just two months, the mobile micro-lending and saving platform, MoKash, has been adding an average of 15,000 customers per day, reaching 920,000 over the period. Launched in August and operated by MTN Uganda and the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), MoKash allows mobile phone owners to save and apply for micro-loans. This is the first platform operated by both a telecom company and bank that could carry out the function of a commercial bank.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Safaricom CEO Warns His “Clumsy” Product Needs to Diversify or Risk Dying
The future of M-Pesa, the world’s leading mobile money-transfer system, lies in transforming the service’s “clumsy” technology into something more efficient, innovative, and collaborative. At least that’s the vision spelled out by the company’s CEO.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Equitel Now Kenya’s Second Biggest Mover of Mobile Money
The battle for mobile phone money transactions business is changing in a manner that may cause various players to stop and take notice.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
-
Financial Innovation Startup and 12 Global Banks Test Blockchain Based Cross-Border Payment System
U.S.-based financial innovation start-up R3, along with 12 global banks, have completed the test of a cross-border payment system powered by blockchain technology and developed by financial technology company Ripple.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Barclays Launches Fintech Accelerator Programme in India With 10 Fintech Startups
Rise Accelerator, a FinTech- focussed accelerator programme started by Barclays announced its first cohort today, comprising 10 FinTech startups.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- fintech
-
Africa Demands Tailored Mobile Money Services
With technology disruption so evident within financial servicesand an increasing number of mobile money and remittance platforms taking off in Africa, it is not surprising that telcos and network operators are eager to tap into the activity in developing markets. But according to remittance experts securing a foothold in mobile payments is not easy and requires a lot more than simply developing a service and evangelising the offering: it is essential to match up product/ service with the realities of target markets.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech
-
New GSMA Report Sees Rise in Mobile Broadband and Smartphone Adoption Across Middle East and North Africa
Mobile broadband networks will account for 61 per cent of mobile connections by 2020, up from 41 per cent today, across the diverse Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, according to a new GSMA report published today at the GSMA Mobile 360 Series – Middle East conference in Dubai. The new study, ‘The Mobile Economy – Middle East and North Africa 2016’, highlights that there are currently 339 million unique mobile subscribers (Q2 2016) across the region’s twenty five markets1, a figure expected to rise to 385 million by 20202. The number of smartphone connections3 has also more than doubled over the last three years to reach 263 million in Q2 2016, accounting for 42 per cent of total connections, and is forecast to reach 467 million by 2020. The availability of mobile broadband networks has increased smartphone adoption and is helping to bridge the digital divide and usher in innovative new mobile services.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
-
USAID Launches Catalyst to Drive Cashless Payments in India
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Friday announced the launch of a new initiative “Catalyst: Inclusive Cashless Payment Partnership” (www.cashlesscatalyst.org).
- 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.