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An Unlevel Playing Field: Why Small Businesses Face Disadvantages in Digital Commerce – and How Inclusive Tech Innovations Could Help
One reason COVID-19 has been so damaging to global micro and small enterprises (MSEs) is that consumers have shifted towards purchasing online – a change that has mainly benefited large corporations. According to Malika Anand at BFA's Catalyst Fund, making digital commerce more inclusive could help these businesses survive and grow in the long term. She shares research from Ghana that highlights several promising opportunities for digital commerce innovations that can benefit informal MSEs.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology, Transportation
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Lack of Capital is Just the Beginning: Why Roof-Top Solar is Facing Greater Challenges Than Many People Think
The solar energy sector is dynamic and growing – but as Rik Teeuwen at Footlight International points out, it's also unsettled, as off-grid solar players navigate challenges ranging from lack of finance to inconsistent regulation. In light of those issues, he pushes back on the argument, expressed by candi solar CEO Philippe Flamand on NextBillion earlier this year, that rooftop solar is a “no-brainer” for micro, small and medium enterprises. The truth, he says, is far more nuanced.
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The Development Bank of Rwanda Spearheads Economic Inclusion Among Refugees
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) has secured $9 million (over Rwf8.5 billion) from the World Bank to finance entrepreneurial projects initiated by refugees in Rwanda.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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A Boon for Online Commerce: How COVID-19 is Transforming the Industry in Bangladesh
COVID-19 has been merciless to the world and its economy in general. But according to analysts at MicroSave (MSC), it has boosted a few sectors – like digital/contactless payments, e-commerce and Facebook commerce (or f-commerce). They explore how the pandemic is accelerating the online commerce industry in Bangladesh, and how regulators and other stakeholders can support its growth.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Technology
- Tags
- COVID-19, digital payments, e-commerce, MSMEs
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Press Release: BlueOrchard Announces the Launch of a COVID-19 Support Fund That Aims To Support More Than 200 Million Jobs in Emerging and Frontier Markets
BlueOrchard Finance Ltd (BlueOrchard), a leading impact investment manager and member of the Schroders Group, is pleased to announce the launch of the “BlueOrchard Covid-19 Emerging and Frontier Markets MSME Support Fund."
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Investing
- Tags
- impact investing, MSMEs
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Grab Leads Series B Round of up To $100 Million in Indonesian Fintech Linkaja
Indonesia’s fintech app LinkAja announced that it has raised up to US$100 million in a series B round led by Southeast Asian super app Grab.
- Categories
- Finance, Investing, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Viewpoint: The Race Against Economic Inequality Within Emerging Markets – a Case for SMEs
One of the great challenges of the 21st Century is the need to reduce poverty levels and economic inequality globally. Economic growth is the most powerful tool for reducing poverty and improving the quality of life in developing countries.
- Categories
- Investing
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The Quest for Financial Inclusion in Sri Lanka
Financial Inclusion is essential for continuous and sustainable economic development, according to the IFC (International Finance Corporation). This is no exception for Sri Lanka despite showing strong numbers in bank penetration.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- financial inclusion, MSMEs
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