NextBillion - An Initiative of the William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan

Nigeria’s Carbon Buys Vella Finance for AI-Powered Business Banking

Carbon's focus is on providing Nigerians with access to credit in the form of instant loans and a BNPL offering. It also offers savings plans and a debit card.

Source

FinExtra (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

artificial intelligence, business development, digital payments, financial inclusion, fintech, lending, mobile finance, MSMEs, remittances

World Bank Allocates Nearly $300 Million to Support Renewable Energy Projects in Eastern and Southern Africa through Partnership with TDB

This platform aims to facilitate electricity access for up to 5 million people, clean cooking access for up to 1 million people, and add up to 35MW of energy capacity to the region.

Source

SolarQuarter (link opens in a new window)

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

clean cooking, distribution, energy access, lending, off-grid energy, poverty alleviation, renewable energy, solar

AEON Bank Set to Become Malaysia’s First Islamic Digital Bank

AEON Bank’s foray into digital banking aims to provide secure and efficient financial services to customers in Malaysia.

Source

Fintech Global (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

South Asia

Tags

fintech, Islamic finance, lending

Barbados Approved for US $100 Million Loan from Inter-American Development Bank

The loan allows Barbados to continue modernising its policies, laws and regulations as it strives to achieve sustainable development.

Source

Loop Business (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Environment

Region

Latin America

Tags

climate change, climate finance, lending, public policy, regulations

Press Release: DFC Announces New U.S. Financing for Africa’s Lobito Corridor

DCEO Biswal celebrated DFC’s longstanding partnership with the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), which is spearheading Phase II of the Lobito Corridor.

Source

U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

food security, global development, infrastructure, lending, partnerships

MTN and JUMO Introduce Qwikloan to Redefine Lending in South Africa

Joe Mucheru, President of JUMO, underscores the impact of partnerships in driving financial inclusion and creating opportunities.

Source

Ventureburn (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Finance, Technology

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

financial inclusion, fintech, lending, mobile finance, partnerships

Climate Finance: London Guarantees $239 Million from the African Development Bank for Benin and Mauritius

As part of the “Room to Run” (R2RS) program, the African Development Bank (AfDB) is lending $239 million to Benin and Mauritius.

Source

Afrik21 (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing, WASH

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate finance, infrastructure, lending, renewable energy, sanitation, water

African Development Bank Sells Hybrid Note in Development Finance First

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has sold its long-awaited hybrid capital note.

Source

CNBC Africa (link opens in a new window)

Categories

Investing

Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tags

climate change, development finance, global development, lending