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Black Businesses Matter: Leveling the Playing Field for Black Entrepreneurs in Africa and the Diaspora
For Black lives to matter, it is critical that we discuss more than just survival, but rather how to enable Blacks to thrive, says Charity Kabango at Entrepreneurial Solutions Partners. She argues that entrepreneurship is a key means to that end, as it empowers Black people to create jobs for themselves and others, and facilitates the flow of wealth within communities. However, limited access to finance and the absence of structured support has held back the development of entrepreneurship among Black people globally. She explores some solutions to this ongoing challenge.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance
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A Guide To Angel Investing During COVID-19: Eight Tips for Investors in East Africa
In East Africa, the COVID-19 crisis is causing far-reaching consequences for small and medium-sized enterprises. And according to analysts at Intellecap and Viktoria Ventures, much of the burden of ensuring these businesses' short-term survival lies with angel investors. They share some practical considerations that can help these investors navigate the many challenges of the pandemic.
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- Coronavirus, Entrepreneurship, Investing
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Press Release: Symbiotics Launches USD 6.75 Million (INR 506,250,000) Social Bond with Samunnati Financial Intermediation and Services Private Limited in India
Symbiotics has arranged a Social Bond, raising USD 6.75 million in local currency (INR 506,250,000) for Samunnati Financial Intermediation & Services Private Limited, a non-banking financial company in India.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Finance, Investing
- Region
- South Asia
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Marqeta Helps UK SMB Credit Lender Expand Into Spain
Card issuer Marqeta has been helping U.K.-based Capital on Tap to expand its small business credit lending services to Spain, a press release says.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Europe & Eurasia
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The SDGs Are Falling Short on African Poverty: SME Investment Could be a Game Changer
Though the UN's first Sustainable Development Goal aims to eradicate poverty, this goal is not on track to be met – particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, where projections indicate that over 23% of the population will still be living in extreme poverty in 2030. Trevor Hambayi argues that there's a clear need to look past the UN's favored strategies of addressing poverty through government and NGOs, and to focus instead on unlocking the potential of Africa's small and medium enterprises.
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- Finance
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Seven Stages of SME Growth – One Common Problem: The Challenge of Financing Small Businesses Across Their Life Cycle
There’s an endless variety of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the world, but these businesses often experience similar problems that arise at similar stages in their growth. Barbara Peitsch, an international economic development consultant at the William Davidson Institute, discusses these stages and their associated challenges, and explores how SMEs can access financing that's appropriate for their level of development.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance
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Insights, Analysis and Debate: Vote for the Top NextBillion Article of 2019
Another year has come and gone, and it's time for NextBillion to select our most influential articles of 2019. As usual, we’re turning to you, our readers, for help. We've selected our 12 most-read articles of the year, and we invite you to vote for the one that impacted your thinking the most. You can vote up to 12 times during the voting period, which runs from Dec. 20 to Jan. 2. The winner will be announced on Jan. 3. As always, thank you for reading, contributing content to, and engaging with NextBillion!
- Categories
- Education, Energy, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Finance, Investing, NextBillion Originals, Technology
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An Impact Investing Model Designed for Africa: Why the Continent Should Embrace Search Funds
According to Brendan J. Mullen of Secha Capital, there's a little-known but perfectly suited investment model for Africa's emerging markets: search funds. Often vehicles for young, aspiring entrepreneurs to finance, acquire and grow established SMEs, search funds trust the local market by directing capital to where it’s most needed. As Secha launches a new $30 million fund, Mullen shares how investments in both growth and human capital are yielding impressive returns.
- Categories
- Investing