Selling Sanitary Toilets To The Rural Poor
In our imperfect world, many people live in market systems that are broken – they don’t provide access to the basic things people need to live. iDE is a mechanic of broken markets. We try to look at every component of the market system to see how it can run better to benefit the individual. […]
Improving Healthcare Access in Developing Nations
Outside Kenya’s capital Nairobi lies the small farming town of Embu, which is filled with roadside stalls where farmers sell their mango, potato and rice crops. This remote region, nestled near the hills of Mount Kenya, is the setting for the second phase of the Familia Nawiri (Healthy Family) initiative, one example of a Novartis […]
A Nation’s Coming Of Age: Malawi At 50
Last month was a very significant one for the country known as Africa’s ‘Warm Heart’. Fifty years on from the birth of Malawi’s independence, July provided a poignant moment to evaluate the progress that’s been made across the past five decades. But the anniversary is an equally important time to take stock of the challenges […]
Seven Reasons To Be Optimistic About Africa
This piece originally appeared on the World Economic Forum’s blog. When I meet young Africans who have graduated from overseas universities, I am struck by their excitement for Africa. They have a vision for their countries of origin, and a passion to return to, and invest in, their homelands. This new desire for engagement is […]
No Smoke Without Fire!
What happens when an engineer meets a climate change expert ? This is the story of One Earth Designs, a social enterprise that develops sustainable solutions responding to the need of the rural communities in the Himalayas. The Global Alliance for Clean Stoves states that “exposure to smoke from traditional stoves and open fires – […]
From 'Poor' To Customer
Today, communities in rural India are still viewed as “poor” and not as customers. Ajaita Shah, founder of Frontier Markets, has decided to transform that vision. With Frontier Markets, she offers sustainable and clean energy products to the Bottom of the Pyramid. After working in micro-finance, Ajaita Shah started questioning the traditional approach to servicing […]
From ‘Poor’ To Customer
Today, communities in rural India are still viewed as “poor” and not as customers. Ajaita Shah, founder of Frontier Markets, has decided to transform that vision. With Frontier Markets, she offers sustainable and clean energy products to the Bottom of the Pyramid. After working in micro-finance, Ajaita Shah started questioning the traditional approach to servicing […]
Saving Lives at Birth
What does a garage mechanic from Argentina, a team of students from North Carolina, and a group of doctors in Kenya have in common? They are all pushing the boundaries of innovation to save the lives of women and newborns during their most vulnerable hours — from the time of labor to the 48 hours […]
Africa: The Time to Invest Is Now
The Africa of 20 years ago is not the Africa of today, and even the Africa of 10 years ago is barely recognizable. While much of the world stagnated in the last five years, the African continent experienced high economic growth and positive equity capital and trade flows. In truth, the future has never looked […]
The Benefits of Localisation
By CDC In West Africa, the name Vlisco evokes heritage, quality and individuality. Established more than 160 years ago, the Vlisco Group’s textiles are at the heart of fashion in West and Central Africa. The company designs, manufactures and distributes 70 million yards of branded fabrics annually through its operations and retail presence in Côte […]
How Companies are Turning Food Losses into Gains
Experts in global food systems cite the need to expand production in order to feed the world’s growing population. However, just as important is the need to more effectively process and distribute the food we already grow. Here are five facts on the present status of food loss around the globe, and how companies and […]
Measuring the Results of Development Partnerships
Most of us believe that partnerships work, but we don’t really have the proof. Much more importantly, we don’t know how they work and how their performance can be improved. Public-private development partnerships are a promising means for implementing new solutions for sustainable development. Public and private partners bring together their individual strengths and resources […]
Tackling Illicit Financial Flows & the Post-2015 Goals
With world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in their World Cup group, it’s fair to say that Australia were always going to struggle to make an impact in Brazil last month. But they will have a much greater say at another global gathering this year, one that could have much grander implications for Brazil […]
Tackling Illicit Financial Flows & the Post-2015 Goals
With world champions Spain, the Netherlands and Chile in their World Cup group, it’s fair to say that Australia were always going to struggle to make an impact in Brazil last month. But they will have a much greater say at another global gathering this year, one that could have much grander implications for Brazil […]
Building a Greener Network
By CDC Established in 1996, as a joint venture between Telenor Mobile Communications and Grameen Telecom Corporation, Grameenphone is today the largest mobile operator in Bangladesh. Grameenphone has a significant workforce, with over 4,900 direct, full-time employees and thousands more employed through its vendor and distribution networks. The company recently rolled out 3G services for […]
Long Term Value Creation Through Environmental and Social Responsibility
By CDC For Adenia Partners, environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibility is not an afterthought – it is a fundamental part of the firm’s value proposition. Over the past 12 years, ESG management has been built into Adenia’s operating and reporting processes. It is one of the first aspects that the firm looks to improve […]
Innovation To Promote Financial Inclusion
Having a bank account and access to banking services such as saving and borrowing is taken for granted in middle and high income countries. These services are not available in large parts of Africa, where millions of people continue to be excluded from the banking system. Kenya’s Equity Bank is helping to bridge this gap. […]
Retail Supply Chains Supporting Indirect Jobs
By CDC Mr Basher is a farmer who supplies fresh vegetables to Agora Supermarkets “I’ve now learnt to think on a broader level. Before Agora, I used to think very traditionally. Now there is a lot of opportunity to expand my business which will help me invest in my children’s education.” BUILDING BUSINESSES It is […]
Pharmaceuticals in East Africa
By CDC In 2010, CDC committed €12m to the AfricInvest Fund II, which in turn made a €6.8m investment in Kiboko Holdings Limited, a manufacturer and distributor of pharmaceuticals. The benefits of a thriving local pharmaceutical manufacturing sector are manifest – skilled employment, potential for lower-priced products, technology and knowledge transfer. Domestic production in Uganda, […]
Why We Should See Farming as a Business
In 2050 food production almost needs to have doubled to feed the future population of then 10 billion people. As agriculture forms the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing 50% to the country’s GDP and employing 70% of the labor force, it holds great potential to increase production levels. Investments in agriculture are critical to let […]