Africa
Photo credit: Powered by People
Africa | March 3, 2021
Powered by People secures $1.5 million to connect artisans to markets
ImpactAlpha, March 3 – Kenya-based Powered by People is a “distributed manufacturer” that enables artists and designers to become suppliers to large companies like …
Photo credit: VeggieVictory
Africa | March 3, 2021
Startups in Singapore, the U.S. and Nigeria attract capital for animal-free products
ImpactAlpha, March 3 – Singapore’s Next Gen raised $10 million for its plant-based chicken products. Singapore Economic Development Board, NX Food, FEBE Ventures and …
Photo credit: India-focused SME finance venture Kinara
Africa | February 22, 2021
Seed-stage is a bright spot as emerging market investors bet on the digital disruption
ImpactAlpha, February 22 – Startup funding shriveled in most emerging markets last year as investors were reluctant to write big checks in the face …
Photo credit: Kasha Global
Africa | February 18, 2021
DFC backs women’s health startup Kasha Global
ImpactAlpha, February 18 — Rwanda-based Kasha Global operates an e-commerce platform to improve low-income women’s access to menstrual care products, contraceptives, pharmaceuticals and …
Africa | February 10, 2021
Africa’s Great Green Wall to combat desertification secures $16.8 billion in international finance
ImpactAlpha, February 10 — The Great Green Wall initiative, launched in 2007 by the African Union, aims to restore degraded land, boost food …
Africa | February 3, 2021
Catalyst Fund backs six early-stage African fintech ventures
ImpactAlpha, February 3 — Catalyst Fund supports emerging-market entrepreneurs expanding access to basic goods and services. The accelerator has committed £80,000 ($110,000) to …
Africa | January 27, 2021
DFC guarantees Cordaid to spur lending in Africa’s Sahel
ImpactAlpha, January 27 – The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. approved a $14.8 million loan portfolio guarantee for Cordaid Investment Management. The commitment is …
Photo credit: Pula
Africa | January 26, 2021
Pula raises $6 million to expand farmers’ insurance from Africa to Asia
ImpactAlpha, January 26 – Kenyan insurance tech venture Pula has facilitated crop insurance for more than four million smallholder farmers in 13 African …
Africa | January 19, 2021
Lion’s Head closes $400 million Facility for Energy Inclusion
ImpactAlpha, January 19 – Lion’s Head’s Facility for Energy Inclusion launched in 2017 to finance off-grid renewable power producers in Africa with projects of …
Photo credit: Daystar Power
Africa | January 14, 2021
Daystar Power raises $38 million to expand commercial solar power in West Africa
ImpactAlpha, January 14 – Mauritius-based Daystar Power installs and manages commercial and industrial solar installations in Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire. The …
Photo credit: Medical Credit Fund
Africa | January 13, 2021
Medical Credit Fund blends $19.2 million to finance Africa’s frontline health clinics
ImpactAlpha, January 13 – Small, privately-run clinics are often the only providers of essential health services in remote and low-income parts of Africa. …
Africa | January 5, 2021
Kenyan digital ‘neo bank’ Umba secures $2 million
ImpactAlpha, January 5 – Financial inclusion efforts in Africa have been dominated by mobile money payment and transfer services and alternative credit apps. Now, …
Photo credit: PremierCredit
Africa | January 4, 2021
PremierCredit raises funding for micro-entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe and Zambia
ImpactAlpha, January 4 – PremierCredit offers Zambia and Zimbabwe’s micro businesses loans and asset financing for basic business tools like smartphones, solar lighting …
Tangus street food | Photo credit: wanacorp.fr/
Africa | December 23, 2020
Aiming high by pricing low: How entrepreneurs can tap the mass market for impact at scale
ImpactAlpha, Dec 23 – Emerging market entrepreneurs have to thread the needle when pricing their products and services: too low, and they won’t generate …
Africa | December 22, 2020
DFC approves $500 million financing for Safaricom-led Ethiopian telecom project
ImpactAlpha, December 22 — The U.S. International Development Finance Corp. approved a $500 million loan for companies seeking a telecommunication license in Ethiopia, …