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Outdated but Not Obsolete: Why USSD Is Still Key to Driving Digital Inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa
As of late 2019, mobile internet adoption stood at just 26% across sub-Saharan Africa, and internet access remains expensive and unreliable even for people who can afford a smartphone. In light of that reality, Wole Olayinka of insiderPR argues that digital inclusion efforts should embrace USSD, a communications protocol that connects feature phone users to basic digital services even without internet access. He explores the advantages and downsides of this outdated – but surprisingly flexible – technology.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Technology
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‘Back in the U.S.S.D.’: Most Smartphone Owners—Especially Women—Don’t Use Apps for Financial Services
The global transition from basic mobile phones to smartphones has impacted nearly every sector, including financial services. Bryan Pon from Caribou Data considers whether this shift will help or hinder access to mobile money and digital finance for women in emerging markets — a group already less likely to be using these services. He shares the findings of a comprehensive study on how payment system design could impact gender bias in digital finance, and discusses the ongoing popularity — and under-recognized advantages — of old-fashioned USSD codes in mobile money.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Brazilian Fintech RecargaPay Raises $70 Million Series C Round
The Series C round, co-led by IDC Ventures and Fuel Venture Capital, included the participation of ATW, LUN Partners, and Experian.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Latin America
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Vedantu Acquires Instasolv, a Doubt-Solving App – the Latest in Buzzing EdTech Acquisitions in India
Indian online tutoring startup Vedantu has acquired Instasolv, a doubt-solving app – marking its first acquisition in the buzzing educational technology space. While the details of the deal remain undisclosed, Vedantu had also invested $2 million in Instasolv in July 2020.
- Categories
- Education, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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New Mobile App to Reduce Food Waste Among Winners of $10 Million Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge
Today, data.org announced the eight global winners of the $10 million Inclusive Growth and Recovery Challenge, which aims to address major societal challenges through computer and data science. Among the winners is a project by BASE (Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy) and Empa that aims to give smallholder farmers in India access to sustainable cooling facilities through a mobile app to reduce food waste.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
- Region
- South Asia
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Press Release: African Edtech Startup uLesson Secures $7.5 Million Series A Funding
Owl Ventures leads round with TLcom Capital, Founder Collective and LocalGlobe to scale digital access to education to millions across Africa
- Source
- Wimbart
- Categories
- Education
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Kenyan Startup Launches M-Health App to Ease Access to Healthcare Professionals
Kenyan startup Play Zuri Health has launched its mobile app, Zuri Health, which aims to provide certified, affordable and accessible healthcare solutions via mobile.
- Categories
- Health Care
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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MOMO Secures Series D to Become Vietnam’s Next Super-App; Plans to Launch New Startup Fund
Vietnam-based payments app Momo has raised an undisclosed amount in Series D financing, says a DealStreetAsia report.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
- Region
- South Asia
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