-
Viewpoint: How the US will transform its investment role in Africa with a new $60 billion agency
For at least thirty years, the US’s commercial relationship with Africa has been dominated by resources underground. Oil, gas and minerals account for about half of all US direct investment in Africa. There has been growth in almost every sector of Africa’s economy, but commercial relations with the US have been dominated by US engagement in natural resources.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
The Force Awakens: Artificial Intelligence Is Coming – And It Isn’t Going to Put Poor Countries Out of Work
On a scale of polarizing topics in global development, none comes close to artificial intelligence. Everyone seems to have an opinion, and the ongoing war-of-words has drawn in everyone from Bill Gates to Elon Musk. But according to Brinda Sapra, a researcher at the Institute of Financial Management and Research, these arguments tend to gloss over the nuances of AI’s likely economic impact. In particular, she argues that alarmists and “Luddites” have overhyped the valid concerns about AI’s impact on jobs in emerging markets. She makes the case for optimism in this provocative post.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Impact investing task-force created to draw in the private sector in South Africa
The task-force’s mission is to mobilise capital that will go into growing small businesses, dealing with unemployment and inequity, as well as investing in economic and social infrastructure such as education and healthcare facilities.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
The Pope likes this kind of investing
At the inaugural conference, Pope Francis called for "markets (to) serve the interests of peoples and the common good of humanity."
- Categories
- Investing
-
Press release: Nine new projects focused on financial inclusion to receive more than US $9 million
Lindsay Wallace, Director of Strategy and Learning at the Mastercard Foundation, said: “The aim of the FRP has always been to enable smallholder farmers and poor people living in rural Africa to reach their full potential by supporting new private sector initiatives that provide access to financial services. We’re very happy to see this latest round of selected firms, demonstrating the depth and breadth of ideas and action plans that will do just that.”
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
USAID and Musoni Microfinance sign $8 million loan guarantee agreement to boost Kenya’s agricultural sector
Small scale farmers, individuals, associations, cooperatives and micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya will be the key beneficiaries of this guarantee.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
Press release: Upaya Social Ventures Will Fund Its Next Investments from A Recoverable Grant Pool
Upaya Announced $2M to expand its job-creating investments, including an innovative $1M Pool of Recoverable Grants that will be used to fund its next investments; the first term sheet has been presented to an agribusiness enterprise.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- South Asia
-
Tableau pledges to donate $100M to help health, human-rights groups
Tableau Software will donate $100 million in technology resources and grants through 2025 to assist global health and equality organizations, increasing its foundation’s size significantly in its fifth year.
- Categories
- Health Care
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.