The Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), a state-owned bank, plans to launch a mobile money pilot project in partnership with unspecified microfinance institutions (MFIs) in April 2013. Continue Reading »

Khan Bank, a Mongolian provider of microfinance and other services, recently installed three drive-through automated teller machines in the city of Ulaanbaatar. Continue Reading »

MFX Solutions, a US-based company that provides currency hedging solutions for microfinance institutions (MFIs) and microfinance investment vehicles (MIVs), has released a French-language version of its Comprehensive Asset/Liability Management (CALM) Tool. Continue Reading »

Aspekt, a Macedonia-based information and communication technology company, has signed a deal to install its microfinance software for MicroFinS-DBS, a limited liability company based in Serbia that provides microloans. Continue Reading »

MNepal, a Nepalese firm, reportedly has launched a mobile financial services platform offering the following products: mobile banking, mobile wallet functions, remittances and payments. Continue Reading »

Musoni Kenya Limited, a microfinance institution based in Nairobi, reportedly will offer solely cashless lending services to its customers in an effort to increase efficiency and address security issues related to in-person transactions. Continue Reading »

Mambu, a provider of web-based microfinance institution management software, reportedly has received equity investments totaling USD 2 million from Russia-based Runa Capital; Germany-based Point Nine Capital; and its initial investor, Germany-based Kizoo Technology. Continue Reading »

By Eric Duflos, Paul Luchtenburg, Li Ren and Li Yan Chen, published by CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and International Finance Corporation, January 2013, 43 pages, available at:  http://www1.ifc.org/wps/wcm/connect/d87bf8804e5aba9bad7dadfce4951bf6/Microfinance+in+Myanmar+Sector+Assessment-Final.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

This joint CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) report reviews the current state of Myanmar’s microfinance sector and the challenges involved with its future development. Continue Reading »

Excelcomindo (XL) Axiata, an Indonesian telecommunications subsidiary of Malaysia-based Axiata Group, reportedly has launched its “XL Tunai International Remittance” service, allowing customers to receive money transfers from 110 countries via text messages, a method known as short messages service (SMS). Continue Reading »

The Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), a state-owned regulatory authority for the communications industry in the country, has released a report showing that the number of mobile money service subscribers dropped by 200,000 to 19.3 million between July and September 2012. Continue Reading »

Event Name: African Information & Communication Technology Exhibition & Conference (AITEC) Banking & Mobile Money West Africa 2013: Consolidating and Monetizing the Gains of Innovation

Event Date: March 13-14, 2013

Event Location: Lagos, Nigeria Continue Reading »

The National Commercial Bank (NCB), a government-owned bank in Jamaica, reportedly has launched a pilot operation in partnership with the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), which is also owned by the Jamaican government, in preparation to allow for the disbursal of funds to clients of microfinance institutions (MFIs) through automated banking machines (ABMs). Continue Reading »

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the country’s central banking authority, reportedly has decided that telecommunications companies will not be allowed to become licensed mobile money operators for fear that they will limit competition within the industry. Continue Reading »

The government of Peru reportedly has passed a law governing a new electronic payment system that allows residents to make payments and money transfers via mobile phones. Continue Reading »

MicroEnsure, a microinsurance intermediary founded by US-based nonprofit Opportunity International, has partnered with Telenor Group, a Norwegian mobile communications company, to launch MicroEnsure Asia, which will provide insurance products to Telenor’s business units in Asia. Continue Reading »

M-Birr ICT (Information and Communication Technology), the Ethiopian subsidiary of Ireland-based M-Birr Limited, reportedly will begin a pilot operation in January to provide mobile money services in Ethiopia. Continue Reading »

Event Name: Mobile Money Asia 2013

Event Date: January 28-31, 2013

Event Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Continue Reading »

Tagit, a Singaporean mobile technology company, reportedly has partnered with Vietnamese mobile payment provider Smartlink to launch a mobile banking service that will link the customers of 51 financial institutions and insurance providers. Continue Reading »