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The Graduation Approach isn’t Just for Extreme Poverty: An Innovative Project Leverages it to Rebuild Livelihoods After Forced Relocation
December 11, 2023

The Graduation Approach isn’t Just for Extreme Poverty: An Innovative Project Leverages it to Rebuild Livelihoods After Forced Relocation

The Graduation Approach is a proven way to sustainably build the livelihoods of people living in extreme poverty. But as Anton Simanowitz at Social Performance Solutions explains, it is also being leveraged in contexts that go beyond poverty alleviation. He discusses one such application, exploring a pilot program that used the Graduation Approach to rebuild livelihoods in a community that experienced forced relocation due to mining activities.
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PUE at the BoP: Three Approaches To Making Productive Uses Of Energy Accessible To All
December 6, 2023

PUE at the BoP: Three Approaches To Making Productive Uses Of Energy Accessible To All

Productive Use of Energy (PUE) technologies, such as solar water pumps, refrigeration and sewing machines, are crucial for helping smallholder farmers and other microentrepreneurs generate incomes. But as Christopher Emmott at Acumen explains, the high up-front costs of PUE appliances prevent many people at the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) from purchasing them. He shares some innovative approaches and business models that can enable vulnerable communities to access these life-changing technologies.
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Making Africa the Animation Capital of the World: A Growing Industry Aims to Take its Place Among its Global Peers
December 4, 2023

Making Africa the Animation Capital of the World: A Growing Industry Aims to Take its Place Among its Global Peers

Africa has a rich history in storytelling, as the continent was the site of some of the earliest forms of human creativity. But when it comes to animated works, it has historically been overshadowed by traditional animation powerhouses in the Global North. However, according to Abdulrahman Khedr at Egypt-based animation studio Giraffics, that's beginning to change. He explores how African creators are carving out a unique niche in the animation world, gaining international recognition and bringing substantial economic benefits to the continent.
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The Next Generation of DFI Technical Assistance: Why it’s Time for Development Finance Institutions to Take a Standardised Approach
December 1, 2023

The Next Generation of DFI Technical Assistance: Why it’s Time for Development Finance Institutions to Take a Standardised Approach

Development finance institution technical assistance (DFI TA) has expanded greatly in scope and scale in recent years. But Johanna Strikwerda and Justin van Rhyn argue that a lack of standardization in TA approaches has made it hard for DFIs to coordinate their efforts, share best practices and maximize their effectiveness. In this article — the second in a two-part series exploring the uses of TA in development finance — they explore the benefits of a more standardized approach to TA design, delivery and results measurement, and highlight some ways DFIs can move toward this standardization.
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Empowering Emerging Fund Managers in Underserved Markets: The Role of Development Finance Technical Assistance
November 29, 2023

Empowering Emerging Fund Managers in Underserved Markets: The Role of Development Finance Technical Assistance

Emerging fund managers and other capital allocators play a vital role in addressing the "missing middle" financing gap in underserved markets. But as Robert Haynie and Justin van Rhyn point out, the demand for this funding vastly outweighs the current supply. In this article — the first in a two-part series exploring the uses of technical assistance (TA) in development finance — they explore how development finance institutions can leverage TA to meet the earlier-stage financing needs of missing middle businesses and improve the pipeline for later-stage investors.
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Achieving the SDGs in the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries: Why the Private Sector Must Recommit to Financing Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States
November 27, 2023

Achieving the SDGs in the World’s Most Vulnerable Countries: Why the Private Sector Must Recommit to Financing Sustainable Development in Small Island Developing States

It's widely recognized that the world is not on track to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. And as Isabella Massa and Samory Toure at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network explain, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are facing unique obstacles to their SDG agendas. They explore the economic, geophysical and environmental vulnerabilities that SIDS face, and call for the private sector to step up its commitment to financing SDG progress in these countries.
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The Rise of Embedded Finance in Africa: Three Fintech Innovators Highlight its Potential to Boost Financial Inclusion and Business Growth on the Continent
November 20, 2023

The Rise of Embedded Finance in Africa: Three Fintech Innovators Highlight its Potential to Boost Financial Inclusion and Business Growth on the Continent

In Egypt and other African countries, recent years have seen growing usage of fintech tools to boost financial inclusion. Basil Moftah at Nclude explores the impact of one such tool: embedded finance, in which a financial product is placed within a non-financial product, customer experience or platform. He discusses how the emergence of embedded finance is revolutionizing business operations and providing a catalyst for digitization and growth, across sectors ranging from hospitality to agriculture and pharmaceuticals.
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Financing Women-Owned/Led SMEs for Sustainable Growth: Navigating Capital Supply Side Challenges in Africa
November 15, 2023

Financing Women- Owned or -Led SMEs for Sustainable Growth: Navigating Capital Supply Side Challenges in Africa

One in four African women owns or manages a business, and in several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, the rates of entrepreneurial activity among women rise to 30-50%. But as Nathalie Gogue-Ebo and Katharina Weber at Open Capital point out, just 6% of funding in the region goes to women- owned or -led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs), limiting these businesses' growth potential. They discuss the factors that are preventing investors from supporting WSMEs, and share some potential solutions.
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As an open forum for development through enterprise, NextBillion’s original content consists of guest-written articles contributed by entrepreneurs, executives, researchers and others working in emerging markets business. Guest writers can publish up to four articles per year, free of charge. If you’d like to discuss a potential guest article, contact our editors.

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