-
Creating Jobs While Fighting Poverty: An Innovative Social Micro-Franchise Model Gains Traction in Haiti
All too many global development efforts fail to appreciate the value of a steady paycheck – or the role of small businesses as job creators in poor communities, says Marc Blumenthal at Social Ventures Foundation (SVF). This has stagnated poverty reduction campaigns, leaving vulnerable populations in need after government and NGO funds dry up. He shares SVF's efforts to reverse this dynamic, through social micro-franchise business models that address poverty-related issues, while also creating sustainable jobs in low-income communities.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Investing
-
Navigating the Informal Economy Is Vital for Africa’s Rural Youth: How Do We Help Them Do That?
Growing the formal employment sector is vital to the long-term health of African economies, but it’s not generating jobs fast enough for young people just entering the workforce. A partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and TechnoServe has provided training and mentorship to nearly 69,000 young people across rural Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda by helping them navigate existing opportunities in the informal sector. Chris Donohue at TechnoServe shares how helping young people build multiple sources of income is creating meaningful change in their lives.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
-
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
-
An African Solution to the Digital Skills Gap: Preparing for the Future of Work in Emerging Markets
With the rise of artificial intelligence, machine learning and cloud computing, the nature of work is transforming. But while many focus on the possible downsides of these changes, like AI-fueled job loss, Becky Santora at Digital Divide Data points out some upsides as well. She explores the new technical and analytical skills necessary in the work of the future – and how emerging markets workers can prepare themselves.
- Categories
- Technology
-
The Rise (and Rise) of the Gig Economy in Kenya – And How to Take It to the Next Level
The gig economy is growing fast in East Africa, fueled by a young population and burgeoning mobile and smartphone penetration. Countries like Kenya now have gig platforms offering everything from taxi rides to cleaners and handymen, and analysts say this is only the beginning. Gituku Ngene at Google.org Youth Impact Labs explores the gig economy's growing impact, the barriers it faces – and solutions that could unlock its full potential.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology
-
West Africa Finds an Unlikely Home in Silicon Valley
To bridge the gap between Nigeria’s technology and professional, on-the-job training in Silicon Valley, SVNED sponsored introductory and educational events in both shores. This helped immerse students, entrepreneurs, and dignitaries in the cultures, knowledge and business best practices of the Silicon Valley. Williams hopes to replicate such an ecosystem across the African continent.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
-
MSMEs Are the Backbone of Developing Economies: New Research Shows How Digital Platforms Can Boost Their Impact
To keep pace with the growing youth population, 600 million new jobs must be created globally over the next 15 years. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) will be key to that effort, say Alina Kaiser at Caribou Digital and Annabel Schiff at the Mastercard Foundation’s FiDA Partnership. They explore how digital platforms can boost MSMEs in emerging markets, based on learnings from 27 micro-entrepreneurs in Kenya.
- Categories
- Entrepreneurship, Technology
-
Press Release: Untapped Market for Digital Services to Transform African Agriculture Worth up to €2.3 Billion, New Report Finds
“Digitalisation can be a game-changer in modernising and transforming Africa’s agriculture, attracting young people to farming and allowing farmers to optimise production while also making them more resilient to climate change,” said Michael Hailu, Director of CTA.
- Source
- Press Release
- Categories
- Agriculture, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Parent Organization
