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Supporting Farmers and Food Systems: How Crowdfunding Can Address Funding Challenges for Agricultural SMEs in Africa
Agriculture employs over 70% of the working population in Africa, making it a cornerstone of the continent's economic progress and livelihood development. But as Esther Mweru and Jerry Sellanga at 2SCALE explain, the financial strain of COVID-19 — combined with previously existing market inefficiencies — is putting many vulnerable farmers and agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) at risk. They explore how crowdfunding can provide a financial lifeline to these smallholders and businesses, and discuss how 2SCALE is using it to support agribusinesses in Mali, Nigeria and Kenya.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance, Technology
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In the Race for Dominance in African Fintech, Partnerships With Phone Makers Are Transforming the Landscape
Corporate partnerships and acquisitions have proliferated in Africa's fintech sector in recent years, as companies fight for dominance in the growing digital payment space. Digital economy analyst Jill Lagos Shemin highlights an emerging element of this trend: alliances between mobile phone makers and payment providers and telecom operators. She explores how these partnerships can boost customer access to smartphones and digital credit, while expanding Africa's digital finance ecosystem and building tech players' footprint in this sought-after market.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
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Cameroon’s Plan To Make Users Pay Import Duties on Mobile Devices Has Sparked Outrage
A new automated system for the collection of customs duties and taxes on imported phones and other electronic devices in Cameroon is not being welcomed.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Big Tech’s Emerging Market Finance Push Brings Rewards and Risk, FSB Says
A push by big technology firms into financial services in developing countries will improve access to them, but might also make traditional lenders more vulnerable, the Financial Stability Board (FSB) said.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Technology
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Report: Somalia’s Mobile Money Penetration High, Data Costs Lowest In Africa
Despite its long history with civil unrest, Somalia seems to have gotten a good grip on its business community.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vodacom Partners with China’s Alipay to Create ‘Super App’ in South Africa
Vodacom Group plans to create a ‘super app’ in partnership with digital payment provider Alipay, part of China’s Alibaba group, to allow consumers in South Africa to shop online, pay bills and send money to family from next year.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Zimbabwe Accuses Mobile Phone Operator Econet of Money Laundering
Zimbabwean police have issued a warrant against the largest mobile phone operator Econet Wireless to hand over a list of its mobile money transactions and subscribers because authorities suspect it of involvement in money laundering, according to the warrant.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Missed Calls = Missed Opportunities: How Starlogik is Converting a Mobile Billing Loophole into an Inclusive Innovation
The mobile telephony industry has done a remarkable job reaching poorer people in developing countries. But as Ignacio Mas at the Digital Frontiers Institute points out, this success has been shaped by customer ingenuity too – for instance, through the common practice of reallocating call charges by requesting call-backs via missed calls. He explores how Starlogik has formalized this billing loophole to create a mutually beneficial new feature.
- Categories
- Technology
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