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Accelerating Digital Transformation: Why Technology is the Key to Eliminating the MSME Finance Gap in Emerging Markets
According to the IFC, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in emerging markets face a finance gap of $5.2 trillion every year. Since MSMEs are responsible for 70% of job opportunities in these countries, this gap must be addressed. According to Brian Pallas at Opportunity Network, that’s where digital technologies can offer a solution. He explores how emerging innovations offer alternative, tech-enabled means of financing for MSMEs, and how business leaders and policymakers can support these enterprises' digital transformation.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Walmart-owned Flipkart Invests $145 Million in Agritech Startup Ninjacart
As e-grocery picks up momentum in India, Walmart-owned Flipkart on Monday announced to invest $145 million in agritech startup Ninjacart, which has helped over 1,00,000 farmers across 150 villages to generate better revenues.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Investing, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- impact investing
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Universal Energy Access is Within Reach — If the Sector Survives COVID-19: Here’s How Funders Can Help
Before COVID-19 struck, the energy access sector was booming, delivering renewable power to 470 million people, creating 370,000 jobs and avoiding 74 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions over the past decade. But as Sarah Bieber at Acumen and Henry Gonzalez at Green Climate Fund point out, the pandemic has put that progress at risk, as dwindling investment, decreased customer income and dramatic price increases have created a crisis for energy access companies. They explore how funders can help get the sector back on track.
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Scale Is Overrated: Why the ‘Unicorn Industrial Complex’ is Holding Back Social Enterprise and Emerging Markets Business
Social enterprises and small and growing businesses (SGBs) are the focus of a lot of discussion and excitement in the development sector, as seen in recent SGB coverage on NextBillion and other publications. But Jack Foreman at Foresee Advisors argues that this discussion ignores the needs – and essential natures – of the vast majority of these businesses, particularly in emerging markets. He explains why the focus on scale – and investors' search for the next potential "unicorn" startup – overlook the crucial importance of SMEs that are content to remain small or medium-sized.
- Categories
- Investing, Social Enterprise
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Press Release: DAI Acquires International Asset Management Firm, MicroVest
Acquisition in high-growth ESG/impact investing arena enhances DAI's ability to spur investment in emerging and frontier economies
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Global
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African Edtech Startup Ulesson Raises $15m, Backed by Nielsen Ventures and Tencent
Founded by Nigerian serial founder Sim Shagaya in 2019, uLesson came into the market when the pandemic hit last year.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- edtech, impact investing, startups
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4DX Ventures and Flutterwave Co-invest in Payments Processor CinetPay in Africa
CinetPay, a digital finance platform that enables merchants in Francophone Africa to seamlessly accept and make payments, has announced a $2.4 million seed fundraising round from 4DX Ventures and Flutterwave.
- Categories
- Investing, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: New Impact-linked Fund To Boost Inclusive And Equitable Education for Vulnerable Children And Youth in MENA and West Africa
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) Kickstart the innovative “Impact-Linked Fund for Education” which
Targets high-impact enterprises improving learning outcomes.- Region
- Global
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