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Financing Women- Owned or -Led SMEs for Sustainable Growth: Navigating Capital Supply Side Challenges in Africa
One in four African women owns or manages a business, and in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the rates of entrepreneurial activity among women rise to 30-50%. But as Nathalie Gogue-Ebo and Katharina Weber at Open Capital point out, just 6% of funding in the region goes to women- owned or -led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs), limiting these businesses' growth potential. They discuss the factors that are preventing investors from supporting WSMEs, and share some potential solutions.
- Categories
- Investing
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Announcing Kiva’s Bold New Impact Strategy: The Nonprofit Microfinance Pioneer Shares its Refined Approach — And Unveils the Process Behind its Development
Both social enterprises and nonprofits need inspiring missions to thrive, and when those missions are coupled with well-crafted impact strategies, the change they seek to make is more likely to become reality. Kiva CEO Vishal Ghotge announces the pioneering microfinance nonprofit's latest impact strategy, explains how it will shape Kiva's next phase — and reveals the process behind its creation, so it can serve as a resource for other organizations.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Social Enterprise
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Press Release: BlueMark and CASE at Duke University Publish Impact Best Practices Guide for Asset Allocators
This new guide offers tools and tips for allocators to evaluate and engage with impact fund managers, as well as potential red flags.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Global
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Press Release: Oikocredit, Goodwell Investments and Global Partnerships Invest in Good Nature Agro to Support Southern African Smallholder Farmers
Investors commit a combined total of US$ 8.5 million to expand Good Nature Agro’s social impact.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing, Social Enterprise
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How Fintech is Enabling Progress Toward the SDGs — And Why it’s Time for Investors to Double Down
Due to high interest rates and other macroeconomic challenges, there's been a global slowdown in venture capital funding to tech firms. David Grimaud at Bamboo Capital Partners explains how this lack of investment is impacting fintech companies in emerging markets, putting not only financial inclusion but other development priorities at risk. He explores how fintech innovators are advancing multiple SDGs, and how the investment community — especially impact-focused investors — can better support them.
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Carbon Offset Market Faces Chaos as African Mega-Project Collapses
The breakup of the partnership behind one of the world’s biggest carbon projects in Zimbabwe raises new doubts about the carbon market’s ability to backstop failures.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: IFC and DFC Invest in Pomona Impact Fund II to Foster Growth of SMEs, Strengthen Private Equity Markets in Central America
IFC and DFC's backing, with $7.5 million in equity investment from each institution, will enhance Pomona's support for SMEs.
- Categories
- Education, Health Care, Investing, WASH
- Region
- Latin America
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South African Insurtech Startup Inclusivity Solutions Raises USD 1.5 Million in New Funding Round
Inclusivity Solutions employs technology and strategic partnerships to make affordable insurance accessible to consumers in emerging markets.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- impact investing, insurance, scale, startups