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A Vaccine Is Not the Only Answer to COVID-19: Why Strengthening Statistical and Data Systems Must Be Part of the Solution
The COVID-19 pandemic has been financially devastating, tightening budgets around the world. But Deirdre Appel and Shaida Badiee at Open Data Watch caution governments and development organizations against defunding the systems that provide accurate, real-time data. They explore why strong data systems are essential – not only to fighting the virus, but to responding to future needs and crises.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Impact Assessment
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Women ‘on Precipice’ in Developing Countries Amid COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic means that millions of women in Africa and other developing regions could lose years of success in contributing to household incomes, asserting their independence and expanding financial inclusion.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
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Tanzania Mobile Report: Money Market to Reach US $216.4 Billion by 2024
The latest report by IMARC Group, titled “Tanzania Mobile Money Market: Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2019-2024”, finds that the Tanzania mobile money market size reached US$ 45.5 Billion in 2018.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: GIIN’s Annual Impact Investor Survey Finds Maturing Market and Positive Outlook for Future of Impact Investing Despite Headwinds
The Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN) published today the 10th edition of its Annual Impact Investor Survey, which finds the USD $715 billion global impact investing market maturing, even amid the worldwide pandemic. This year’s survey, the most comprehensive overview of the market, provides data and insights from the GIIN’s largest number of respondents ever.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Investing
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The Pandemic is Hurting China’s Belt and Road Initiative
Some BRI projects are stalling as countries struggle to repay related debts.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Missed Calls = Missed Opportunities: How Starlogik is Converting a Mobile Billing Loophole into an Inclusive Innovation
The mobile telephony industry has done a remarkable job reaching poorer people in developing countries. But as Ignacio Mas at the Digital Frontiers Institute points out, this success has been shaped by customer ingenuity too – for instance, through the common practice of reallocating call charges by requesting call-backs via missed calls. He explores how Starlogik has formalized this billing loophole to create a mutually beneficial new feature.
- Categories
- Technology
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Press Release: DFC Approves $1 Billion of Investments in Global Development
Projects support developing countries reeling from COVID-19 and include first transactions using equity and technical assistance
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Agency Banking and Off-Grid Energy: Banking the Unbanked Through Solar
In rural Africa, off-grid renewable energy products are gaining momentum - but their upfront cost can make them inaccessible to low-income customers. Commercial banks have struggled to penetrate these markets, but Thelma Obiakor at the Centre for the Study of the Economies of Africa explains that this is now changing. Thanks to agency banking, financial services and solar companies are providing a bridge to both energy access and greater financial inclusion.