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African Development Bank Approves $180 Million Loans to Extend Electricity Access to Rural Areas in Rwanda
This follows the 26 May 2021 approval for $84.2 million from the resources of the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional window of the Bank Group, for the same project.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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India’s Blanket Approach to Financial Inclusion Is Leaving Women Behind: Here Are Four Ways to Close the Gender Gap
India's Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana program has been a game-changer for financial inclusion in the country. But according to Akhand Jyoti Tiwari, Sonal Jaitly and Saloni Tandon at MSC, the campaign faces considerable challenges, as evidenced by India's substantial gender gap in account ownership and usage. They argue that the program's blanket approach has contributed to these gaps, by overlooking women’s unique needs while targeting the population at large. They explore four things the country can do to better enhance the financial inclusion of women.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment, Technology
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Analysis: Small Electric Vehicles Can Act as Productive Use of Energy Catalysts for Rural Minigrids
Minigrids can power two and three-wheeled electric vehicles at a matching price with fossil-fuel alternatives.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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On the Edge of Edge: Why Advancements in Edge Computing Could Shift the Paradigm for Remote Connectivity, Internet of Things and Digital Development
Edge computing brings both computation and data storage closer to internet users: It uses servers installed on cell towers to deliver content directly to consumers’ devices, instead of transmitting it from distant hubs across a cellular network. As digital development expert Troy Etulain explains, edge computing offers compelling benefits for remote internet users, and for the development projects and businesses that hope to reach them. He explores the momentum behind this technology – and how it can be leveraged to boost rural internet connectivity and accomplish other goals.
- Categories
- Technology, Telecommunications
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Husk Power Systems Secures Largest-Ever Debt Finance for Solar Microgrids in Rural India, Receiving $4 Million from IREDA to Construct 140 Microgrids
Husk Power Systems, the rural clean energy services leader in Africa and Asia and operator of the largest fleet of solar energy community microgrids in India, today announced the successful close of $4.2 million debt financing from the India Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) Ltd.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Global
- Tags
- rural development, scale, solar
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Press Release: Rock Connect Partners with IFC to Support Greater Connectivity in Jamaica
Rock Connect has signed an agreement with the International Finance Corporation to provide market expertise to support the buildout of Rock Connect’s network and expedite provision of broadband to Jamaica’s unserved and underserved communities.
- Categories
- Telecommunications
- Region
- North America
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How Cross-Industry Collaboration Can Spur the Digitalisation of the Last-Mile Distribution Sector
Last-mile distributors play a critical role in bringing energy and other life-changing products and services to customers in sub-Saharan Africa, and digitalisation is key to enabling these companies to operate at scale. But as Javier Baranda Alonso at Energy 4 Impact explains, both distributors and digital service providers often struggle to understand and service each other’s needs. He shares insights from a research report that highlights ways to accelerate the digitalisation of last-mile distribution by building bridges between the two sectors.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise, Technology, Telecommunications
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Press Release: Datavault® Contracts With Agri-fintech Company Tingo To Deliver Data Revenue to Its 10 Million International Members
Partnership will focus on the continent of Africa and data monetization strategies within the farming, agriculture, and finance sectors.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa