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Bank of Zimbabwe Launches $50 Million Fund to Support Smallholder Farmers, Rural Development
Bank of Zambia (BoZ) Governor Michael Gondwe has launched a US$50 million Fund under the MasterCard Foundation’s Fund to support smallholder farmers in the rural areas.
- Categories
- Agriculture
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Savings Groups: An Inclusive Emerging Economy, With Africa in the Lead
At a time when news about Africa has been dominated by Ebola, it’s worth observing that a highly encouraging change has been quietly spreading across the continent. Over the past five years, the number of Africans — mainly women — who have joined village-based savings and loan associations has soared to more than nine million. These groups are now operating in 40 countries in Africa. Globally, it’s estimated that 10.5 million people are members of formally trained savings groups in about 65 countries. (PDF) The big story about these groups, including their surprising success and emerging importance in development, comes from Africa.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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UAE Fund To Provide $200 Million In Loans To Microfinance Projects In Egypt
A United Arab Emirates state investment fund announced on Monday it would provide $200 million in loans for microfinance projects in Egypt, a move it said would create more than 120,000 jobs by 2020.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- North Africa & Near East
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What’s Holding Agricultural Finance Back?: The MIX describes what’s needed to help this crucial sector grow
One of the most effective ways to reduce poverty is to increase agricultural productivity. But for many farmers, access to yield-increasing technologies and inputs requires access to financial products specially tailored to their needs, which are scarce in rural areas. Xavier Martin Palomas of the MIX discusses this challenge and how financial service providers and policymakers can address it.
- Categories
- Agriculture
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PRESS RELEASE: At SOCAP 14, Unitus Seed Fund launches its India Impact Acceleration Program
September 2, 2014: San Francisco. Today at SOCAP 14, Unitus Seed Fund launched its India Impact Acceleration Program to help improve and accelerate the early-stage impact startup ecosystem across India in three ways: by increasing connections facilitated through “startup scouts” operating across India, working with leading incubators to help create more “venture capital-ready” startups that target low-income populations, and offering financial assistance to startups that make use of our existing Venture Advisor and Catapult Partner networks.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Innovations in Education: What CEI has learned in its first year, and what’s ahead
In its first year, the Center for Education Innovations has documented close to 500 programs serving the poor in more than 135 countries. Next up: Understanding more about what works, why and how.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
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Indian government aims to open 7.5 crore bank accounts by August 15, 2018
The NDA government has drafted a new financial inclusion plan that aims to open 7.5 crore bank accounts in rural and urban areas and extend financial services to all citizens by August 15, 2018.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Region
- South Asia
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Building Resilient Communities in the Philippines, Together
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan ravaged Central Philippines, displacing entire communities in its path. The catastrophic destruction drew a tremendous outpouring of support from around the world, and immediate relief efforts ensued.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Region
- South Asia
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