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Interview: Rwanda Harnesses Technology to Fight COVID-19, Drive Recovery
In a conversation with IMF Country Focus, Rwanda’s Minister of State in Charge of National Treasury Richard Tusabe explains how his government is leveraging technology and grass-roots networks to fight the spread of COVID-19 and ensure financial support for households and businesses.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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A Pandemic Response Based on Listening: Leveraging Customer Interviews to Understand COVID-19’s Impact in the Developing World
As COVID-19 spread around the world early this year, there was a flurry of data about its impact. But nearly all of it was gathered via online surveys, which omitted the 50% of the global population that lacks internet access. 60 Decibels responded by launching phone surveys with over 10,000 people in 13 developing countries to discuss their challenges and unmet needs. Kat Harrison discusses what they found.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Impact Assessment
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Healthcare Cannot Exist Without Clean Water: Why WASH is the Foundation of an Effective Pandemic Response
Hospital beds and masks are often seen as the basic elements of defense against COVID-19. Yet for many developing countries, the pandemic has exposed even more fundamental disease prevention needs – namely, clean water and sanitation. Nafisa Jiwani at U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) discusses the vital role WASH plays in combating the pandemic, and how DFC is supporting water and sanitation efforts around the world.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Health Care, Investing, WASH
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Five Ways Impact Investors Can Deal With the COVID-19 Dilemma
The coronavirus isn’t just affecting social businesses and charities – it’s also a concern for those investing in them, who may face reduced income themselves and an uncertain pipeline. How can they best respond, in a way that lives up to their role as true impact investors? Sung-Hyui Park and Louise Harman from UK law firm Bates Wells share insights from a recent discussion with social investors.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Investing
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Crypto-enabled solar leasing platform Sun Exchange raises $3 million for expansion
Sun Exchange, the South African peer-to-peer, crypto-enabled solar leasing platform, has raised $3 million in fresh funding.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Philippines Based Digital Financial Services Firm Ayannah Merges With Indian Payments Company Equity Capital Advisors
Philippines based Ayannah, an online financial services provider, and India’s payments firm Equity Capital Advisors (ECAPS) have merged their operations in order to provide cost-effective and more accessible financial services to South Asia and Southeast Asia’s growing middle-class population.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Region
- South Asia
- Tags
- coronavirus, fintech, insurance, investment, remittances, SMEs
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Extending Insurance in Times of Crisis: How an Innovative Partnership is Serving Low-Income Micro-Business Owners in Indonesia
During a crisis like COVID-19, insurance can offer businesses in developed countries some degree of resilience. However, entrepreneurs in emerging markets often lack the access or awareness to take advantage of this protection. Carlie Joselowitz at N-Frnds discusses the challenges of delivering insurance to these small businesses – and an innovative partnership that aims to solve them.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Investing
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Halal Fintech Startup Wahed Closes $25m Led by Saudi Aramco’s Investment Arm
New York-based fintech startup Wahed (meaning “One” in Arabic) describes itself as a digital Islamic investment platform and as the world’s first “halal robo adviser.” It has now closed a $25 million investment round led by Saudi Aramco Entrepreneurship Ventures (also known as Wa’ed Ventures), a venture capital investment arm of oil giant Saudi Aramco.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance
- Tags
- capital, entrepreneurs, fintech, investment
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