News Archive - Page 143 of 366

Recent Developments, <br /> Key Innovations, and <br /> Insightful Reports

Recent Developments,
Key Innovations, and
Insightful Reports

Your One Stop Platform for Regular Sector Updates

Sector news

Pakistan’s mobile banking sector has grown by 25 per cent

According to research by the State Bank of Pakistan, the usage of mobile phones among banking customers in Pakistan grow by 25 per cent in a quarter – between June and September, 2012. The number of people using mobile money services grew from 1.45 million to 1.81 million, and the […]

January 28, 2013

India: How Nokia Life benefits those at the base of the pyramid

Nokia in India has launched an SMS based service called Nokia Life. While Nokia Life provides value added services like news on Bollywood, and astrology, for a daily fee, it also provides information. For example,farmers can get market prices at the nearest markets and patients can get information regarding their […]

January 28, 2013

The Transformational Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Africa

This report shows how innovations that begin in Afirca – dual SIM phones and using mobile money to send and receive remittances spread across the continent and beyond. From uses in agriculture, education, mobile money and healthcare, Africa is now advancing phenomenally by leveraging its ICT potential and superiority. Read […]

January 28, 2013

Mobile usage at the base of the pyramid in South Africa, Kenya

This new infoDev study, looks at the mobile usage pattern of the poorest at the base of the pyramid in South Africa. In the country, about 75 per cent of the BoP has phones, but use data applications rarely. Read the report here. This study is part of a continent […]

January 28, 2013

Pakistan: Microinsurance for people on the cards

Pakistan’s State Life Insurance Corporation is in talks with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for the provision of micro-insurance to all the citizens of Pakistan through the new SMART National ID Card. Read more here.

January 28, 2013

Myanmar interested in microfinance and private sector development

Ahead of a gathering of International investors later this month, Thailand’s leader Thein Sein has recognized the role of microfinance and private sector organizations as critical to economic advancement of the country. Read more here.

January 28, 2013

Thai microfinance – Government looking to expand

Thailand is the largest microlender in the world. Now, the government of Thailand is looking to inject another US$2.5 billion into its microfinancing portfolio. Watch the video detailing the growth of this sector in Thailand here.

January 28, 2013

Global Partnerships loans US$500,000 for microcrediting rural Guatemalan women

Global Partnerships (GP), a non-profit investor based in Seattle, Washington, has launched a partnership with Friendship Bridge, a US-based nonprofit microfinance institution. Friendship Bridge helps rural Guatemalan women by giving them microfinance loans. GP will be loaning an amount of US$500,000 to Friendship Bridge to scale this activity. Read more […]

January 28, 2013

I-ADB through MIF helps MFIs in Dominican Republic

MIF, or Multilateral Investment Fund is a member of the Inter-American Development Bank, has approved an equity investment worth US$2.5 million for a project that aims to improve the economic conditions of micro and small enterprises in the Dominican Republic. Read more here.