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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.
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Press Release: Global Development Leader Named Executive Director of Miller Center
In her new role, Brigit Helms is responsible for the vision, strategy, fundraising, and leadership of the Center, one of three Centers of Distinction at Santa Clara. She will report to Provost Lisa Kloppenberg and begin her term this month.
- Categories
- Finance
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Viewpoint: Off-Grid Solar Is Vital for Driving Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery
The last compilation report in the Powering Opportunity Series highlights the wide-ranging benefits of solar home systems (SHS) and why the impact and potential of the off-grid solar sector must be protected.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy
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Viewpoint: Pandemic Is an Opportunity for Developing Nations
Now, dependence on China looks more and more dangerous.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
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The UN Says a New Computer Simulation Tool Could Boost Global Development
The United Nations is endorsing a computer simulation tool that it believes will help governments tackle the world’s biggest problems, from gender inequality to climate change.
- Categories
- Technology
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Risk vs. Resilience: Insuring Sustainable African Cities in the Age of Climate Change
Though COVID-19 dominates the global conversation, climate change continues to have devastating effects. For instance, there were 53 climate-related disasters in Africa in 2018 alone – and these challenges are likely to get worse as the continent urbanizes. Kate Rinehart-Smit and Mia Thom at Cenfri suggest four interventions that can help insurers protect African cities and infrastructure against climate disasters.
- Categories
- Environment, Finance
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Press Release: The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs Announces Winners of the Advancing Women’s Empowerment Fund
Fund will distribute up to $1.2 million in grant capital across eight winning proposals out of a pool of more than 180 total applications
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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A Digital Approach to Reducing Educational Inequality in Africa – During and After COVID-19
As COVID-19 spreads through sub-Saharan Africa, its long-term impact on children's education is becoming clear, as over 253 million students are not in school due to closures caused by the crisis. Wambura Kimunyu at Eneza discusses the company's innovative platform, which provides educational content via SMS texts – and how it's working to expand access to the platform in response to the pandemic.
- Categories
- Education, Technology