Microfinance, Innovations, Sustainable Development - Internet

GCC companies need to focus more on innovation management for business success

Gerard — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:40:02 GMT

Many GCC businesses are struggling during these tough economic times and are even missing an opportunity to grow, because they are not focusing sufficiently on Innovation Management says an expert in the UAE.

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Technology: IBM predicts five big tech innovations coming by 2015

Gerard — Mon, 27 Dec 2010 16:21:00 GMT

IBM unveils its fifth annual "Next Five in Five" -- a list of innovations with the potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five years. The Next Five in Five is based on market and societal trends expected to transform our lives, as well as emerging technologies from IBM's Labs around the world that can make these innovations possible.

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Omidyar Network Supports Innovations in Mobile Technology With Grant to Praekelt Foundation in Africa

Gerard — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:49:56 GMT

Omidyar Network announced an $825,000 grant to Praekelt Foundation to support its pioneering use of mobile technology to drive positive social change. Funded through Omidyar Network's Government Transparency investment area, the grant will be used to extend the Foundation's mobile technology platforms across Africa. Built to take advantage of rapidly growing mobile penetration throughout the continent, these mobile platforms will provide the technological foundation and infrastructure for a variety of initiatives focusing on healthcare, education, human rights and government transparency initiatives.

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Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes launches Jumo, social network for social activism

Gerard — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:09:05 GMT

Hughes, who left Facebook in 2007 to become the Obama campaign's director of online organizing, soft-launched Jumo last March. Jumo was designed to let users find, follow and support the causes important to them, and with 3,500 organizations on board at launch, would-be philanthropists should be able to find and follow something of interest upon joining.

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An appeal from Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales

Gerard — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 21:30:26 GMT

Jimmy Wales founder of Wikipedia is appealing for donations to support the activity of the open encyclopedia

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For the unbanked, is mobile money cheap enough?

Gerard — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 08:53:33 GMT

Claudia McKay and Mark Pickens from CGAP have pulled together a comprehensive global pricing study on banking services targeting poor, unbanked and underbanked people in Africa, Asia and Brazil. The study examines pricing for services targeting unbanked and underbanked poor people in 10 countries. The conclusion: mobile banking and other forms of branchless banking are cheaper than traditional banking, but the gap between the two may not be as wide as some may think.

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Europe: Google, Facebook to face tougher EU privacy rules

Gerard — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 17:18:50 GMT

The European Union (EU) wants stronger privacy rules to give Internet users more control over how social-networking sites such as Facebook, or search engines such as Google use their personal information.

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Probanx - Core Banking Software - Microfinance Software

Gerard — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 22:56:44 GMT

Probanx Information Systems specializes in development of software for the financial institutions, offering multi-currency and multi-lingual banking systems with a large variety of modules, based on the latest technologies. We install and support turn-key international Banking Software and Microfinance Software solutions for retail banks, commercial banks, Internet banks and microfinance banks.

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Mobile is the future of microfinance?

Gerard — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 02:13:36 GMT

Lyon created a system to bring formal financial services to microfinance institutions and poor entrepreneurs via a mobile phone. He believes the new software, to be launched by the organization he founded, FrontlineSMS:Credit, could change the world of microfinance by changing the way the poor interact with the institutions.

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Leading private financial institution established in Lao PDR

Gerard — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 21:37:00 GMT

Newton Microfinance Institution is the leading private financial institution in Lao PDR. Their vision is to make sure that every Lao resident not only has access to but also benefits from the financial blessings globally enjoyed. They are installing Internet banking services to their clients in several languages including Lao, English, french, etc.

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The Five Best Mobile Apps Now in American Banks

Gerard — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 04:22:45 GMT

Lots of banks are getting on board with basic mobile banking this year, but there's not been too much innovation when it comes to functionality. A handful of banks are leading the way with widely available capabilities that set them apart from the pack.

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All new Nokia smartphones to come with NFC from 2011

Gerard — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 04:25:57 GMT

The announcement was made by a top Nokia executive at the Mobey Forum's 10th anniversary meeting in Helsinki this morning.

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Netherlands to have mobile payment system by 2012

Gerard — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 04:31:28 GMT

Consumers in the Netherlands will be using smartphones as mobile wallets within two years as result of a joint venture between top banks and mobile operators.

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KFW: Africa Gains Connection to Globalisation

Gerard — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:10:25 GMT

KfW Entwicklungsbank is helping improve internet access in Africa: the East Africa Submarine Cable System (EASSy) provides about 250 million people on the continent with international communication through telephone and internet.

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Africa: Book Notes

Gerard — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:33:55 GMT

This AfricaFocus contains a diverse selection of recent books likely to be of interest and new to AfricaFocus readers. You will find, for example, new books by Africa's distinguished elders, such as Achebe, wa Thiong'o, and Mandela. Selected new books from publishers such as Africa World Press, HSRC Press, and Aflame Books. Books on topical themes such as SMS activism and other ICT developments, on India and China's relations with Africa, and on xenophobia and migration. And more.

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All Nokia Smartphones to be NFC-enabled from 2011

Gerard — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:17:03 GMT

All Nokia smartphones released by the company from 2011 will come with NFC (Near Field Communication) technology built in, according to Near Field Communications World (NFCW).

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Mobile payment users seen to reach 109 million

Gerard — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 22:04:04 GMT

Mobile payment users worldwide are forecast to increase 2.1 percent to 109 million by the end of 2010, a US-based research firm said in a report.

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Africa on the cusp of a mobile payments boom

Gerard — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:59:18 GMT

Mobile technology has the greatest chance of delivering financial services to Africa’s estimated 325 million low-income, un-banked people. Examples of African financial innovations abound and the results are being felt across the continent, where mobile phone penetration continues to skyrocket. Dianna Games writes about the success stories and the need for investors to think from the ground up.

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Georgia: MobiPay will change your life

Gerard — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:41:32 GMT

On July 1 Open Revolution and Geocell announced the ultimate innovative mobile payment method - MobiPay, which allows you to make purchases, bill payments and person to person money transfers much more easily, more quickly, more safely and more conveniently by mobile phone.

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TEMENOS - T24 products come with the functionality of GLOBUS

Gerard — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:13:50 GMT

Swiss group, TEMENOS, has over 300 client names worldwide, has systems live in over 500 client sites, operating in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1993, TEMENOS Group AG is a provider of integrated, modular, core banking systems that provides banks with a single, real-time view of the client across the enterprise. TEMENOS delivers 24/7 functionality to the wholesale, retail and private banking sectors, or partnering with central banks on core system replacement. TEMENOS is established as an international leader in the banking software industry. The company has expertise and commitment in projects. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the company has 34 offices in 29 countries and is listed on the main segment of the SWX Swiss Exchange (TEMN).

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Infosys - Finacle - defines, designs and delivers IT enabled business solutions

Gerard — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 17:04:35 GMT

Infosys provides a complete range of IT consulting outsourcing services based on strong domain and business expertise and strategic alliances with leading technology providers. Infosys' service offerings span business and technology consulting, application services, systems integration, product engineering, custom software development, maintenance, re-engineering independent testing and validation services, IT infrastructure services and business process outsourcing (BPO). Infosys is a leading global IT organization with over 40 offices and development centers in India, China, Australia, the Czech Republic, Poland, the UK, Canada and Japan.

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Tata QUARTZ core financial platform

Gerard — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:02:43 GMT

TATA Consultancy Services Financial Solutions (TCSFS) is a global and innovative company with a strategic focus on the present and future requirements of financial institutions. TCSFS goal is to enable their clients to meet the business challenges of modern-day banking and to achieve and sustain a competitive edge. TATA Consultancy Services acquired the former TKS Group.

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SAP for Banking, SAP R/3

Gerard — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:43:32 GMT

SAP is headquartered in Germany and is a world-leading provider of business software solutions. SAP solutions are designed to meet the demands of companies of all sizes -- from small and midsize businesses to global enterprises.

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SAB universal banking system

Gerard — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:33:15 GMT

SAB is a French vendor of core banking solutions with an international presence, mainly in francophile institutions across Europe, Africa, Middle East and the Pacific. Established in 1989, SAB is an independent group that publishes an integrated software package for banking and financial institutions: the SAB solution for front to back office banking operations.

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In Microfinance, a ‘Dot-Com’ Boom?

Gerard — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:57:24 GMT

With hundreds of fledgling entrepreneurs ready to change the world and maybe make millions while they do it, the buzz around the microfinance industry looks a bit like the dot-com boom at the end of the ’90s.

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The Complete Mobile Donor Plan

Gerard — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 19:58:09 GMT

MobileCause provides simple and powuerful ways to connect with your donors in the most personal way possible - their mobile device. As the leading web service for cause-related mobile communication and fundraising technology, the MobileCause complete mobile donor plan enables your cause to join this exciting new movement in a few easy steps. Let MobileCause mobilize your cause!

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Microlending site makes advances in France

Gerard — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:25:04 GMT

Online sites like Babyloan or Kiva have taken the idea of lending small sums to help lift people out of poverty to create a direct personal link between lenders and borrowers.

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Probanx - CorePlus Banking Software - Microfinance Software

Gerard — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:19:21 GMT

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Australia: Peer to Peer Lending Marketplace

Gerard — Fri, 08 May 2009 16:30:20 GMT

iGrin is Australia's first peer to peer lending marketplace.

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Nigeria: Is There a Line Between e-Payment and Mobile Payment ?

Gerard — Tue, 05 May 2009 20:33:28 GMT

Sean Moroney, chairman of AITEC Africa, whose core business since 1987 has been focussed on ICT publishing, event management, professional development and training in Africa, spoke to Hilary Okeke on the forthcoming AITEC Banking and Payment Technologies Conference and other issues.

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New Searchable Map of the Green Energy World

Gerard — Fri, 01 May 2009 15:42:12 GMT

A searchable global map forms the new heart of www.reegle.info, the specialist search engine for renewable energy and energy efficiency. Users can click on a specific location and get the latest events, news, and a sampling of green energy development projects in that area. There is also a catalogue of stakeholders and an energy-oriented profile of the relevant country, including up-to-date statistics and information on local green energy policies and regulations.

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Can we bring Internet to the Poorest? Grameenphone Community Information Center did it!

Gerard — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 07:53:54 GMT

Grameen Phone and its Village Phone Initiative is akin to a public pay phone microenterprise run by a rural woman. A Grameen Bank borrower uses their loan to become a Grameen Phone microfranchisee. The new business owner gains access to the branding, training, and partners of Grameen Phone. To date there are over 200,000 Village Phone operators in rural areas bringing increased access to regional markets, knowledge, and services to the rural poor.

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KIVA Microfinance pioneer shares wisdom

Gerard — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 21:40:30 GMT

Jessica Jackley, co-founder of Kiva, the world's first person-to-person micro-lending Web site, spoke at the Shell Auditorium April 14. Jackley was invited by Rebecca Richards-Kortum, Beyond Traditional Borders Director, as part of the Rice 360 initiative. Kiva, which means "agreement" or "unity" in Swahili, has helped nearly 500,000 lenders across the globe loan approximately $67 million to individual entrepreneurs from 45 developing countries since its founding three and a half years ago, the organization's Web site said.

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NOKIA gearing up to enter into rural market in India

Gerard — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:10:53 GMT

The world’s largest manufacturer of mobile telephones – Nokia is now preparing to enter into the developing rural market in India, seeing that the urban market is getting increasingly concentrated with mobile technology. Anticipating a strong business potential in rural market, Nokia is teaming up with some micro finance institutions to get into the rural arenas.

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MicroPlace Announces First Microfinance Investment Offering 6 Percent Return for Everyday Investors

Gerard — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 19:37:10 GMT

MicroPlace (www.microplace.com), a website that enables everyday people to invest in the world's working poor, announced today the launch of the first microfinance investment opportunity that offers a 6 percent annual return for everyday investors.

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Online video game to offer real banking services

Gerard — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 21:01:55 GMT

The Swedish Finance Supervisory has given preliminary approval in the form of a real banking license to video game maker, MindArk PE AB. Within a year, a person will be able to enter the online sci-fi video game Entropia Universe to conduct some real-world banking business -- forever changing the concept of online banking. Set on planet Calypso, there will be no lines, no hassles, and always the experience you'd expect with a friendly service from virtual bank tellers who never change.

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How technology built the microfinance industry

Gerard — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 21:50:10 GMT

Small budgets can yield big gains with the help of high technology. Researchers expect interest and investments in microfinancing to grow significantly in coming years. A December 2007 report by Deutsche Bank Research predicts that U.S. institutional and individual investments in microfinancing will jump from $2 billion in 2006 to $20 billion in 2015.

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Phone Banking: Soon a reality ?

Gerard — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:27:40 GMT

Last year, despite the advancing global economic malaise, mobile financial services gained traction-particularly in developing countries. From enabling m-payments via SMS, to full internet banking via a smartphone browser, it looks like we'll be seeing a lot more mobile money in the future.

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Satellite Internet Accelerated Access for Africa and Middle East

Gerard — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 23:16:30 GMT

Lamit implement modern technology, broadband satellite internet , virtual private networks (VPN) through satellite, video surveillance service anywhere in the world, Voice over IP (VoIP) communication solutions, mobile satellite communication systems through satellite, all with the QoS standard active. They are a company whose services has been already developed in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Far East and the Americas. Our portfolio creation, with clients based in the most inaccessible locations, worldwide, was possible due to a young, innovative and future-looking team.

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World Internet Usage

Gerard — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:07:19 GMT

The Analysis of the World Statistics of Internet Users per continents shows huge differences that can be matched with the proverty level of the continents. Africa is far behind the others with les than 6% of the population that have access to the Internet when the Average for the World is at 23.5% and the developped countries have more than 50% of their people connected to Internet.

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World Internet Usage

Gerard — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 21:07:19 GMT

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A star is born...

Gerard — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 23:56:40 GMT

Welcome to this blog about Microfinance, Innovations and Sustainable Development

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