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Kinara Capital Raises $50 Million in Equity from Nuveen, ASN Microkredietfonds to Boost Lending to MSMEs in India
India’s Kinara Capital recently raised INR 3.8 billion (USD 50 million) in equity from the Global Impact Fund of US-based Nuveen.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Press Release: Fintech Kinara Capital Secures USD $50 Million in Equity, Led by Nuveen
Fresh Equity Round comes from Nuveen’s Global Impact Fund and Triple Jump’s ASN Microkredietfonds
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- financial inclusion, fintech, MSMEs
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World Bank Approves $150 Million for Electricity Services in Senegal
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved $150 million from the International Development Association (IDA) to increase access to electricity services for households, enterprises, and critical public facilities in Senegal.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Using Blended Finance to Navigate the Pandemic: How an Innovative Funding Vehicle is Helping SMEs Survive COVID-19 and Advance the SDGs
Emerging economies' progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is behind schedule, and COVID-19 has set their efforts back even further. Margi Goelz at Georgetown University and Bridget Bradley at Tetra Tech discuss the value of blended finance in closing these countries' estimated $2.5 trillion annual SDG funding gap. They explore how an innovative blended finance facility has helped a Kenya-based energy company navigate the pandemic and contribute to the SDGs, and how this approach can support other small- and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy, Investing
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Rethinking the Role of Business in Conservation: Why Small Local Enterprises are Key to Biodiversity and Climate Action
Climate change mitigation and adaptation are a key focus of attention in the global development sector. But according to Julia Rohe-Frydrych and Luis Ebert at adelphi, these discussions tend to overlook the conservation of the planet’s biodiversity, and they often fail to envision a role for the private sector that goes beyond providing climate finance. They argue that climate change and biodiversity loss are two sides of the same coin, and explore the importance of empowering local businesses that profit from the protection or restoration of nature.
- Categories
- Environment, Impact Assessment
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Lal10: This Startup Is Building the Alibaba of Indian Crafts Industry
Lal10 is a fast-growing wholesale cross-border sales platform for creative products from India to the world.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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Financing to Boost Renewables, Energy Access and Efficiency in Côte D’Ivoire
EDFI ElectriFI has backed microfinance institution Fin’ELLE with a €1.5 million ($1.69 million) investment to boost renewable energy, energy access and energy efficiency in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Where the ‘New Formal’ is the New Normal: Lessons on Innovation from India’s Artisan Economy
In India alone, over 200 million livelihoods are linked to the artisan economy, and the sector is a key source of employment for women and other marginalized groups. But according to Priya Krishnamoorthy and Aparna Subramanyam at 200 Million Artisans and Anandana Kapur at the Harvard Kennedy School, these largely informal creative businesses face systemic bias. They discuss the reasons for this lack of support, and explore a solution that leverages the advantages of informality and formality to empower these enterprises and the communities they serve.
- Categories
- Social Enterprise