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African Venture Funding Is Expected to Slow but Impact Investors Are Boosting Health and Agri-Tech Startups
Between 2014 and 2019, 44% of venture capital deals recorded in African tech ecosystems included participation from at least one impact investor, data from Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association show.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Health Care, Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Viewpoint: Coronavirus Has Shown That Social-Impact Investing Is Here to Stay
The COVID-19 shock will likely be seen as a turning point for investment in B Corps, companies that have opted to be legally bound to consider the impact of their business on employees, customers, suppliers, community and the environment.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Environment, Impact Assessment, Investing
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Innovating on the Pay for Success Model: How ‘Social Derivatives’ Can Unlock Everyday Giving to Incentivize Greater Impact
Pay-for-success models have generated considerable excitement in the social finance sector. But according to Akhil Pawar and Geet Kalra at Yunus Social Business, the approach presents several challenges, mainly around the question of who will pay, and how to ensure an economical structure. They share a potential solution that leverages retail giving, substituting large donors with small ones by using "social derivatives."
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Investing, Social Enterprise
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Zimbabwe Has Banned All Mobile Money Services as Its Currency Troubles Worsen
Mobile money platforms have been banned in Zimbabwe as the country’s local currency continues to lose value, with authorities desperately hoping to arrest the decline. But the move has left subscribers and users stranded in an economy which sees a huge portion of transactions flow through mobile money platforms due to long-term cash shortages at the banks.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- financial health
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Mobile money is booming in Africa as countries shun cash amid the pandemic
As movement restrictions to curb Covid-19 prevent customers from accessing cash, mobile banking is filling the gap
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Impact Assessment, Investing
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Press Release: DFC Announces New “IQ” Development Impact Measurement Tool
“IQ is a state-of-the-art tool that allows DFC to measure our progress in fulfilling our development mandate,” said DFC Chief Executive Officer Adam Boehler. "I am extremely proud of the DFC team for its hard work in developing IQ. I also want to thank the many stakeholders that provided input along the way. I look forward to working with our stakeholders to continue refining and improving IQ.”
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Press Release: Convergence Awards Allotrope Partners Feasibility Grant Through Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window
With funding from the Australian Government, Convergence is pleased to announce it has awarded a feasibility study grant to Allotrope Partners (Allotrope) through the Indo-Pacific Design Funding Window, supporting the development of an innovative blended finance vehicle targeting Sustainable Development Goal 7–Affordable and Clean Energy in the Philippines.
- Categories
- Energy, Impact Assessment
- Region
- Asia Pacific
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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