Cauris’ Post

🌍 Last month, Cauris had the privilege of participating in the Hedging Currency Risk: Innovative Strategies for SMEs in Africa workshop, hosted by the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT and the Kuo Sharper Initiative KSI. This insightful event placed African SMEs at the forefront, exploring practical strategies to scale capital and mitigate the challenges posed by currency volatility—one of the biggest obstacles faced by SMEs. 💡 The workshop brought together African entrepreneurs, banks, DFIs, investors, and thought leaders to discuss scalable and affordable solutions that promote sustainable growth across the continent. Cauris, believes that responsibly financing Africa's missing middle is essential for fostering economic resilience and development. The energy and insights shared underscored the urgent need for innovative currency risk mitigation strategies that not only protect investor interests but, crucially, empower SMEs. Read more about Cauris's belief that developing new and innovative solutions for currency risk mitigation is vital for Africa's SMEs, and why SMEs are key to Africa's economic future! https://lnkd.in/gcerzYex Alexander Raia, Sayuri Sharper, Dina H. Sherif #SMEs #ImpactInvesting #Africa #FinancialInclusion #Innovation #SustainableFinance #EmpoweringEntrepreneurs #MITLegatumCenter #KuoSharperInitiative #CaurisFinance

At the launch of the 2024 Nigeria informal economy report, the FG lauded Moniepoint for her contribution to the informal economy. Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/dCQGE2PH Moniepoint Group #Techmoonshot #technology #technews #fintech #economicGrowth #business #financialnews #techsolutions #business

🌍 African MSMEs face significant challenges in accessing funding, often deemed "too small or too risky" for traditional investors. According to this article https://loom.ly/cRnbUNQ by Impact Investor, the Development Finance Institutions (DFI) emphasized that their primary focus was on how the fund enabled financial institutions to provide loans to small businesses that were otherwise too small or too risky for them to invest directly. #AfricanSME #MSMEs #Investment #Africa #InvestInAfrica See how Ethics 1st is committed to supporting African MSMEs by enhancing their business integrity and ethics. By de-risking these enterprises, we pave the way for international investments and partnerships, empowering them to thrive and contribute to sustainable growth across the continent. https://loom.ly/Gvu-kAM Impact-Investor.com Corporate & Institutional Integrity Africa MSME AFRICA

🌏 Understanding Microfinance: A Key to Empowerment and Development Microfinance provides essential financial services to those who struggle to access traditional credit. It's a powerful tool for promoting social inclusion, entrepreneurship, employment, and sustainable development by reaching out to the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals and microenterprises. 📌 The Microfuture Project Inspired by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, the MICROFUTURE PROJECT is on a mission to future-proof microfinance. We're committed to reaching all potential beneficiaries, embracing digitalization, and addressing today's grand challenges. In collaboration with public authorities, we're leveraging interregional learning to enhance public policy frameworks that support microfinance. Our goal is to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic, adapt to new policy and market requirements, and ensure we support the most vulnerable members of our society. 📌 Kick Off Meeting Highlights On May 31st, 2023, the Metropolitan City of Bologna and the Yunus Foundation hosted a kick-off meeting for the Microfuture Project. This event highlighted current trends in microfinance and gathered key stakeholders from various levels to share their insights and experiences. Professionals from banking, the third sector, and public administration, along with academics and the general public, participated in discussions that spanned European, national, and territorial perspectives. Practical case studies showcased the diverse approaches to microfinance and its vital link to the social economy. You can access the whole report 📤https://lnkd.in/ehnhGJE9 #Microfinance #InterregEurope #SocialInclusion #Entrepreneurship #SustainableDevelopment #MicrofutureProject

As part of our partnership, we are delighted to have contributed to this year's Mo Ibrahim Foundation Forum Report: Financing Africa. As a beneficiary of VC funding, we know first hand how this asset class can drive innovation and it is important that it thrives in our part of the world. However, with venture funding comes risk and our founder Tarek Mouganie, PhD makes the argument that investments must be driven by those with an understanding of the local context. The contributors for this year's report include the President of the World Bank, Chair of the African Union, MD of the IMF, President of the African Development Bank, Deputy Secretary General of the UN and President of the European Council. Check out the full report here and our article, "Financing Innovation: Venture Capital’s Key Role in Africa”, on page 123: https://lnkd.in/egBwsVMP #thoughtleadership #venturecapital #financialinclusion #fintech #digitalbanking #smelending #startup #risk #moibrahim #governance #innovation

Curious about how Africa’s distinct financial mindset could reshape future economic models? 🌍 In collaboration with World Economic Forum and Edwin Obonyo, we have discussed our thoughts around the impact of culture on financial behavior. Unlike Western markets, where consumer credit is deeply embedded, African financial habits lean toward cash-based transactions, informal saving groups, and a strong community ethos. From Nigeria’s “esusu” 🇳🇬, to South Africa’s “stokvels” 🇿🇦. Have a look at the full article 👉 https://lnkd.in/dMsffCiE #impact #africa #entrepreneurship #chama #startups

Equity Bank Limited is actively committed to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to expand their operations beyond local markets and tap into regional opportunities. During a recent networking forum in Thika, Acting Managing Director Moses Nyabanda emphasized the importance of collaboration among SMEs, encouraging them to leverage the bank’s resources and expertise. Nyabanda highlighted Equity's extensive experience with trade missions to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), underscoring the immense potential for Kenyan businesses to access new markets that are hungry for a variety of goods and services. Nyabanda urged SMEs to embrace this opportunity and contribute to Africa's wealth creation agenda. He articulated that scaling up operations not only addresses immediate needs but also positions businesses to meet long-term demands effectively. Equity Bank is dedicated to supporting SMEs through their growth journey, ensuring that businesses have the guidance and resources necessary to thrive in competitive environments. The bank’s commitment to solving Africa's challenges resonates deeply with its mission to drive economic development across the continent. Ambassador Mary Mugwanja, Associate Director of Public Sector and Institutional Banking, reassured attendees that ample financing options are available for businesses looking to scale. She encouraged SMEs to consider borrowing as a viable means to enhance their operations and diversify their offerings. Mugwanja provided insights into various departmental presentations that covered essential topics such as payments, agriculture, insurance, and trade finance, reinforcing the bank's role as a valuable partner in business development. In addition to addressing the forum attendees, Nyabanda and his team engaged directly with local entrepreneurs, visiting businesses like Fairnuts Limited and Kenblest Group. These interactions highlighted the bank's commitment to understanding the unique challenges and aspirations of its SME clients. By fostering partnerships and providing tailored support, Equity Bank aims to cultivate a robust ecosystem for SMEs, driving economic growth and innovation in the region. #EquityBank #SMEs #BusinessGrowth #EconomicDevelopment #Partnerships #Kenya #Africa

🌍 Rise of Home-Grown Fintech Startups in Africa! African fintech startups are gaining significant traction, mobilizing mass market access to various financial services such as savings, credit, insurance, and other digital financial solutions. In 2022, these startups secured $1.45 billion in funding, a 39.3% increase from 2021. ❝Responsibility for shaping financial networks can be broadly shared among international actors and Africa’s own domestic policies with home-grown solutions.❞ This growth highlights the continent's potential for financial innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in sustainable banking, climate insurance, impact investing, and ESG reporting. Interesting read by Brookings: https://lnkd.in/eurNJZQW 🌍

ThePlatform unlocks fresh insights on [topic] in our latest post! Gain a new perspective and elevate your thinking! #ThePlatformInsights #MicrocreditTrends #MicrocreditMarket

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Investment Bank (EIB) today launched a new partnership to strengthen women’s economic power in Kenya by tackling key barriers to financial inclusion... Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation European Investment Bank (EIB) #WomenEntrepreneurs #insideAfrica