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To Tax or Not to Tax Mobile Money: The Impact on Digital Financial Services in Africa and Beyond
Mobile money is widely seen as a promising engine for global development. But governments in Africa are also increasingly viewing it as a lucrative source of tax revenue. With critics raising concerns about the impact of taxing mobile money and other digital financial services, Adrienne Lees and Phil Mader at the Institute of Development Studies explore whether existing research can inform any confident predictions about the effects of these taxes on providers, customers and the broader financial inclusion sector.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Finance
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In Defense of Wealth Creators: Why Globalization, Outsourcing – And Rich People – Are a Good Thing for Developed and Emerging Economies
International trade breaks down borders and provides societal and economic advancements in countries around the world. But as Derek Bullen at S.i. Systems points out, despite these benefits, there's a widespread perception that the businesses and individuals that drive this globalized, free market system only bring wealth to themselves. He argues that criticisms of globalization – and the outsourcing and wealth concentration it involves – are fundamentally flawed, and explains how wealthy individuals and their businesses benefit both affluent and emerging economies.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
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Cameroon’s Plan To Make Users Pay Import Duties on Mobile Devices Has Sparked Outrage
A new automated system for the collection of customs duties and taxes on imported phones and other electronic devices in Cameroon is not being welcomed.
- Categories
- Finance, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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‘Opportunity Zones’ Fall Short on Helping Low-Income Communities, Study Finds
“Opportunity zones,” a cornerstone of the White House plan to combat racial inequality, have mainly helped large real estate projects while many low-income communities have yet to benefit, according to a new study.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Finance, Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- North America
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Nigeria Drops $2B MTN Tax Demand
The operator had vowed to fight the demand in court with the case due to begin on 30 January, having already been postponed a number of times. Legal action has now been called-off completely.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, fintech, mobile money, MTN, regulations, taxes
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This Digital Platform Fights Corruption by Bypassing the Officials Demanding Bribes
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the tax payment system could require many kickbacks to corrupt officials. A new digital platform lets people pay their taxes directly.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Malawi Scraps 1% Withholding Tax on Mobile-Money Transactions
The mobile tax drew criticism from Telekom Networks Malawi Plc, the country’s biggest phone operator.
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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How a Trump Tax Break to Help Poor Communities Became a Windfall for the Rich
Many of the projects that will enjoy special tax status were underway long before the opportunity-zone provision was enacted. Financial institutions are boasting about the tax savings that await those who invest in real estate in affluent neighborhoods.
- Region
- North America
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