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The countdown begins: Top fintech trends that India can expect in 2018
The year has pretty much offered what everyone expected. It has cemented the significance of the fintech sector in India. From increased momentum behind digital payments to product innovation in digital loan disbursement platforms, the entire sector is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the nation functions the way it does and achieves the two-digit growth rate that it has persistently been longing for.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- South Asia
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Latin America’s Fintech Rebels Declare War on Inflation
A frustrated 49 percent of the region’s population and many small- and medium-size businesses are outright excluded from traditional financial services, according to the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). Others, who have access, don’t even bother using the system because of decades of broken promises.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Latin America
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How social enterprise i=Change raised $500,000 through e-commerce donations to empower women globally
“I had no idea of the social enterprise space at the time, all I wanted was to have an impact on what many consider the most endemic issue of our time. Whether it’s helping girls stay in school, or stopping them from being married at 12, there needs to be equality in how we support young girls around the world.”
- Categories
- Uncategorized
- Tags
- gender equality, startups
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Soldiering on in Solar: Why the ‘Investable’ Deals Debate isn’t the Whole Story
An ongoing debate on NextBillion in 2017 has been the extent to which impact investors should steer clear of the "hype cycle" surrounding off-grid solar providers, particularly in Africa. But after a recent trip to Tanzania where he met with several solar entrepreneurs, WRI's Sanjoy Sanyal argues that now is precisely the time to push forward. He explores why genuine, impact-seeking investors need to look ahead of the current incumbents and support local entrepreneurs.
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WorldRemit nabs $40M at a $670M valuation to boost its money transfer business
WorldRemit, a London-based startup with some 2 million users that offers a quick way for people to send money to each other with a focus on developing markets, has raised more funds to help it take on the likes of Western Union in the remittances market, estimated by the World Bank to be worth some $596 million globally this year, and ramp its user number to 10 million.
- Categories
- Finance
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Crowdfarming is being used to bring Somalia’s livestock market into the digital economy
In 2017 alone, livestock loss has ranged from 20%-40% in the southern regions and 40%-60% in the north, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. This threatens the livelihood of the animal farmers and hinders their ability to regularly trade in markets.
But a Sweden-based startup wants to change this by creating a tech-powered livestock market that is open all year round.- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Lagos is set to overtake Nairobi as Africa’s startup capital
But over the past year, Lagos’ claim as the continent’s startup epicenter has gained currency. For starters, it’s the continent’s most valuable ecosystem with its startups typically raising far more in early-stage funding. It’s also home to e-commerce heavyweights such as Jumia and Konga and has birthed some of the continent’s best known startups including Andela, iROKO and Flutterwave which have all attracted major global investor interest.
- Categories
- Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- startups
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Flipkart leans on fintech for profitability, says Bansal
Flipkart group chairman Sachin Bansal said the company’s focus on financial technology solutions will help drive the platform towards profitability.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- South Asia