-
Flipping the Script: Why Small and Growing Businesses Should Lead the Researchers – Not the Other Way Around
All too often, global development research hinges on the interest of researchers, rather than the knowledge needs of small and growing businesses and their impacted communities. This can leave entrepreneurs with plenty of reports, but no practical tools for continuing to collect and use data themselves. Analysts at the William Davidson Institute, Gente Del Futuro, Practical Action and ANDE propose a better approach: letting small businesses lead the way.
- Categories
- Technology
-
Youth Saving and Spending During COVID-19: Tracking Young People’s Financial Activity in Nigeria
How are young people in Africa saving and spending money during COVID-19, when many of their previous sources of income have disappeared? Mahlet Alemayehu at L-IFT shares the results of a study in which 117 young people living in Nigeria kept a record of their savings and spending over several months. The data can help financial service providers anticipate how young people will need to use their accounts, and determine what other services they may need as they navigate the challenges of the pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Tags
- COVID-19, financial inclusion, research, savings, youth
-
Analysis: Investing in Social Good is Finally Becoming Profitable
Impact investments, which aim to promote a social good or prevent a social ill, have significantly outperformed traditional bets during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Investing
- Tags
- impact investing, research
-
Giving and Receiving: Understanding the Financial Flows Between Young People and Their Parents
Young people in many emerging markets tend to live in their parents’ homes until their mid-20s, leading to a complex, dynamic interplay of financial support between generations that's particularly relevant during COVID-19. Guy Stuart at Microfinance Opportunities discusses the results of a study exploring the implications of this support for financial service providers and financial inclusion in Morocco, Nigeria and Senegal.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
- Tags
- COVID-19, financial inclusion, research, youth
-
A Sector in Ruins or ‘Building Back Better’? Findings From e-MFP’s Covid-19 Financial Inclusion Compass
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the global recession it has triggered, the financial inclusion sector is facing perhaps the greatest crisis in its modern history. In response, the European Microfinance Platform repurposed this year's Financial Inclusion Compass survey for this critical moment. Sam Mendelson discusses the results, and what they say about the sector's priorities, challenges and prospects for recovery.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Investing
-
What’s Holding Back Off-Grid Solar – And How the Energy Access Sector Can Turn Things Around
Off-grid solar energy has become a $1.75 billion annual market, reaching 420 million users over the past decade – yet the sector is not on track to meet SDG7’s energy access targets by 2030. What's holding it back? Analysts at Sustainable Energy for All, Duke University and Solar Sister explore some key barriers to adoption, and how the off-grid solar ecosystem can address them.
- Categories
- Energy, Impact Assessment
-
Microfinance Loans Could Spell Disaster in the Time of Coronavirus
Such loans have undoubtedly helped many people. Yet the capacity of microfinance to "make poverty history" has been repeatedly called into question by researchers.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance
-
Review of Microfinance Studies Finds Many Flaws, No Conclusions
What do we know about microfinance—often touted as the solution for the economic woes of developing countries? Practically nothing, say researchers from UConn's Department of Agricultural and Resources and Economics.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment
Subscribe to Our Weekly Newsletter, "NextBillion Notes"
Published each Wednesday, our e-newsletter features NextBillion's latest original articles, along with a selection of news, jobs, bizdev opportunities and events from our recent coverage — and regular conference ticket giveaways.
We respect your privacy. Your information is safe and will never be shared.
Don't miss out. Subscribe today.