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The rise and rise of African agri-tech
Agriculture is big business in Africa. The sector employs 65 per cent of the continent’s labour force, and accounts for 32 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the World Bank.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press release: Social Impact Bonds reach global mass: 108 projects launched in 24 countries
The field has seen impressive growth since the first project was pioneered by Social Finance UK in 2010 in Peterborough, with a goal of reducing reoffending among short-sentenced prisoners, a chronic challenge in the UK criminal justice system. This summer it was announced that the Peterborough Social Impact Bond reduced reoffending by 9% and investors were repaid in full, with a 3% annualized return.
- Categories
- Investing
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World Ocean Summit Coming to Mexico March 7-9: NextBillion Readers Get 20% Discount
The fifth World Ocean Summit will be held at Riviera Maya, Mexico, on March 7-9, 2018, and will grapple with some of the most intractable problems plaguing the world's oceans — as well as explore new possibilities. The Economist Group puts on the event, which will convene 360+ global leaders, for a constructive and solution-focused dialogue. NextBillion readers can get a 20 percent discount on tickets.
- Categories
- Environment
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Social enterprise Pollinate Energy has provided 20,000 urban poor families with affordable, green energy
In 2012, six young Australians — Jamie Chivers, Monique Alfris, Ben Merven, Katerina Kimmorley, Emma Colenbrander, and Alexie Seller — came together to see if they could find a way for children living in a slum in North Bengaluru, to have light to study.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- South Asia
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Melinda Gates Launches Initiative to Reduce Poverty With New Technology
Melinda Gates has launched a high-level international commission to spark new thinking on how developing countries can best harness new technologies to reduce poverty. The wife of Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates spoke at the launch of the commission in Nairobi on Thursday.
- Categories
- Technology
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Forget the West — blockchain will have the biggest impact in emerging markets
The biggest potentially for blockchain technology is in developing markets not developed markets, according to specialist investment bank Exotix.
- Categories
- Technology
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The promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence for global development
The teaser for a breakfast conversation that Microsoft is hosting on the promise and pitfalls of artificial intelligence captures the challenges and the opportunity well: “AI offers profound potential benefits and the opportunity to help tackle some of the world’s most pressing issues including accelerating economic growth, tackling the urgent issues of environmental sustainability, and transforming healthcare,” it reads. “But the accelerating pace of technology-driven change is also creating disruption and anxiety. It risks contributing to a sense of a fractured world, between a small group of people who benefit and a broader group of people who fear that they are being left behind. We need to come together to chart a path forward that ensures AI contributes to building a positive shared future for every community.”
- Categories
- Technology
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‘Blended’ finance is key to achieving global sustainability goals, says report
In a report to be presented on Wednesday at the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Business and Sustainable Development Commission found that private sector investors could take advantage of blended finance to gain access to rapidly growing markets in the developing world.
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