Finance and Investment Archives

Delivering on the Promise of Inclusive Business

Inclusive business as an idea has pushed the boundaries of what is possible and it offers the potential for scale in a way that philanthropy never could. So why are there so few examples that have truly scaled? What needs to happen to deliver on the promise of inclusive business?

Climate & Environment, Education, Finance and Investment, Food and Nutrition, Gender, Global Goals, Health, Innovative Business Models, Intrapreneurship, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Partnerships, Technology

December 14, 2017

How to Achieve Financial inclusion through Data-free Mobile Banking

The promise of digital technologies can give more people access to financial services, but the ability to scale services and create revenue from these services has proven more elusive. N-Frnds and BTPN Wow, Indonesia, share their experience of helping to bring comprehensive mobile financial services to the mass market.

Finance and Investment, Innovative Business Models, Technology

December 1, 2017

Why the Role of Business is So Crucial in the Fight for a Fairer Tax System

Oxfam discusses the importance of engaging with responsible businesses around Tax Avoidance and their latest hard-hitting video “The Heist the Noone’s talking about”, which highlights the real human costs of corporate tax avoidance in developing countries.

Finance and Investment, Water and Sanitation

November 16, 2017

How Financial Inclusion Can Move People Out of Poverty

Around the world this week, governments, multilaterals, and companies are coming together to celebrate Financial Inclusion Week. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the progress that we’ve made in extending financial access to un-banked and underbanked communities, and also a time to take honest stock of how far we still…

Finance and Investment, Innovative Business Models, Partnerships

November 1, 2017

Ploughing the Path in a Male-dominated Turf

Husnaara ran to her house smiling from ear to ear as if she could not get any happier. At that point nothing seemed impossible; she could become a doctor, an engineer or a lawyer, go to a good university.

Agriculture, Finance and Investment, Gender, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

October 18, 2017

Power Sector Reforms Spur Private-Sector Participation

Ivy Namasani makes a dress in her tailoring shop in downtown Blantyre, Malawi. Her store suffers from frequent power blackouts that hamper her ability to do business. As part of the Malawi Compact, MCC is supporting the Government of Malawi in its efforts to strengthen the country’s power sector and…

Energy, Finance and Investment, Technology

October 13, 2017

Expanding Women’s Financial Inclusion: A Win-win for Women and Financial Institutions

Rose, an astute and driven business woman runs a “table banking” operation in the heart of Nairobi. An extension of the traditional village savings and loan associations, “table banking” has gained popularity among poor women in Kenya. Women get together every month and contribute a certain amount of money. Members…

Finance and Investment, Gender, Youth

October 4, 2017

Want to Change the World? Allow the Private Sector to Do What it Does Best

For the past week, the world has watched as heads of state and global business leaders convened in New York City for the 72nd United Nations General Assembly. The agenda was far from light. Topics ranged from food security to climate change to the refugee crisis to healthcare. The task…

Agriculture, Finance and Investment, Global Goals, Health, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Refugees and Migration, Technology

September 28, 2017

Last Mile Financial Inclusion: What Will It Take to Reach More Rural Women?

Digital services – with their geographic reach, ease of use, and transparency – are driving financial inclusion and alleviating poverty. But are rural women being left behind? Financial inclusion is unlocking the potential for micro and small enterprises in poor and rural communities to grow, and reducing gender inequalities. Women with access…

Agriculture, Finance and Investment, Gender, Innovative Business Models, Technology

September 27, 2017

The Money is There to Fight Climate Change

Policy debates on climate change and sustainable development routinely cite the massive numbers needed to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): an additional $1 trillion annually in clean energy investments to limit global warming to below 2 degrees and between $5-7 trillion a year to achieve the SDGs…

Agriculture, Climate & Environment, Climate Justice, Energy, Finance and Investment, Global Goals, Water and Sanitation

September 19, 2017

New Report: Enabling Smallholder Farmers to Improve Their Incomes

Many global companies buy significant amounts of the crops they need from smallholder farmers in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Our new report aims to clarify the roles and levers for companies and other actors, often working together, to help increase smallholder farmers’ incomes.

Agriculture, Finance and Investment, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Technology

September 18, 2017

New Report: Unlocking Investment to Deliver the SDGs in Challenging Places

How can we collaborate to unlock investment to deliver the SDGs in challenging places? Our new report showcases and draws lessons from a selection of exciting and innovative partnerships and funding models that have led to successful investments.

Agriculture, Finance and Investment, Global Goals, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Partnerships, Social Enterprises

September 18, 2017

Women’s Financial Inclusion in West Africa: From Policy to Practice

The Decade of African Women – launched in 2010 by the African Union – has seen significant strides made by African countries to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. Notable within West Africa has been the drive towards women’s economic empowerment. Launched in October 2010 as the Decade of African…