MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: SentBe Launches Remittances from US to 50 Countries

The South Korean money-transfer service SentBe recently announced the official launch of its service allowing individuals to send remittances from the US to Australia, Canada, Nigeria, member nations of the EU and 24 additional countries in Eurasia. The firm also serves individuals sending payments from

MICROFINANCE EVENT: Africa Fintech Summit; November 2-4, 2022; Cape Town, South Africa

The eighth edition of this event offers attendees 21 sessions presented by stakeholders representing fintech [financial technology] firms and investors overseeing total capital of USD 4.5 billion. The detailed event program is yet to be announced, but it is to include

MICROFINANCE EVENT: MEDA Convention: Celebrating Entrepreneurship; November 2-6, 2022; Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA

With the aim of advancing the success of entrepreneurs, this event offers plenary sessions such as: (1) Revolutionizing Investment in Sub-Saharan Africa: Bridging the Finance Gap for Women Entrepreneurs; and (2) Food Security: Addressing the Risks in Our Global Food Systems and What It Means for Entrepreneurs. On November 5, the MEDAx Pitch Competition offers prizes

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Visa Everywhere Initiative Accepting Applications for $500k Fintech Innovation Competition

US-based payment technology firm Visa and TechCrunch, a media company owned by US-based technology firm Yahoo, recently opened the Visa Everywhere Initiative 2022, a contest awarding USD 500,000 in prizes to firms that “deliver innovative payment and commerce solutions.” Applicants apply based on their

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Kestra Financial, TriLinc Global Collaborate to Expand Retail Access to Impact Investments

Two US-based firms, Kestra Financial and TriLinc Global, recently agreed to collaborate to give Kestra’s 1,800 registered representatives access to TriLinc’s impact funds, which have a total volume of USD 1.2 billion. TriLinc’s funds, which target low- and middle-income countries, seek

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: DFC Launches $75b “Roadmap for Impact” to Reach 30m in Developing Countries by 2025 with Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, Technology, Energy, Food Security, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), a government-backed institution, recently announced its first global development strategy, which is called “The Roadmap for Impact.” This Roadmap involves harnessing partnerships valued at a total USD 75 billion “to reach more than 30 million people in developing countries by 2025…[and] support the response to the COVID pandemic.” DFC plans to

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Mastercard Partner on E-money, Payment Cards, Islamic Fintech, Mentoring, Technology Training for Girls

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), a government-controlled entity, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Mastercard, a US-based payments company, to “facilitate the rollout of Mastercard payments and business technologies” in Malaysia. The goals of the agreement include to:

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: “FINCA Forward” to Match Fintech Firms, Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) for New Product Testing

The Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA International) recently announced a partnership with the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Partnering to Accelerate Entrepreneurship (PACE) Initiative to launch