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Doing Business During a Crisis: Lessons for Driving Social Impact While Navigating Adversity in the World’s Toughest Environments
During a recent trip to Nairobi, Brigit Helms at Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship found her delegation engulfed in chaotic street protests that forced them to seek shelter in a partner's local office. As she explains, the experience highlighted the kinds of challenges faced by social enterprises and other organizations navigating crises around the world. She shares lessons from three Miller Center partners operating in three different crisis zones, which show how resilient organizations can drive impact, even in the harshest conditions.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise
- Tags
- MSMEs, NGOs, nonprofits, refugees
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Navigating the Financing Paradox for WSMEs: Workable Solutions for Increasing Financial Inclusion Among Women-Owned or -Led Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
In Africa, an estimated $42 billion financing gap exists for small and medium-sized enterprises owned or led by women (WSMEs). According to Nathalie Gogue-Ebo, Crystal Mugimba, Millie Maina and Shiemaa Ahmed at Open Capital, this gap has persisted despite the fact that women own the majority of the continent’s SMEs, and that globally, they default on their loans at a rate 53% lower than men. They explore the main roadblocks facing African WSMEs, and share some solutions that can ensure that these women entrepreneurs have access to the capital they need to thrive.
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Press Release: MODIFI Secures Strategic Investment From SMBC Asia Rising Fund to Fuel Asian Exports by SMEs
Fintech leader strengthens position in cross-border B2B payments and trade finance, eyeing rapid growth across Asia, including China and India.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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An Emerging Priority in Climate Resilience: How Zambia’s Green Growth Strategy — And its Business Sector — Are Addressing the Risk of Climate-Induced Social Instability
Zambia — like other countries across Southern Africa — is confronting its worst drought in four decades, one of multiple climate-related crises it faces. According to Gracsious Maviza and Giulia Caroli at the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, and Ibukun Taiwo at CGIAR, these issues are putting a growing strain on the nation’s social fabric. They explore how Zambia's National Green Growth Strategy is addressing these challenges, highlighting four "Climate Security Pathways" in the strategy that can improve social stability — and generate immense opportunities for the private sector.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, WASH
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Analysis: Small Firms Are Still a Big Missed Opportunity in Development Philanthropy
There are many reasons why philanthropists still haven’t supported SMEs at the scale we need. They need to get over it; the opportunity to leverage impact is enormous.
- Categories
- Investing
- Region
- Global
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Absa Secures $150 Million from UK’s BII to Boost African SME Trade Financing
Absa Group partners with British International Investment (BII) to secure $150 million trade financing facility for African SMEs in agriculture and healthcare sectors.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Health Care, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: IFC and Equity Bank of Kenya Partner in Landmark Facility to Support Financial Inclusion for Refugees
The project is expected to serve as a model for similar private sector support initiatives in other African countries hosting large refugee populations.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- financial inclusion, MSMEs, refugees
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Analysis: The Forgotten Strength of Smallholder Farmers: Lessons From Kumasi to The Cocoa Industry
A controlled system has been imposed on Ghana's smallholder farmers, limiting their ability to benefit fully from their hard work.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- MSMEs, scale, smallholder farmers
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