The business model is what matters to make inclusive business work, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).   20% of the solution is technical, and 80% rests with business model innovation.

This perspective was explained by Toshi Masuoka, Director of their Inclusive Business Model Group, in Washington last week.   Inclusive business (IB) models tend to be ‘high touch’ – requiring relatively intensive engagement, which increases the opportunity cost.  So…

Microcredit has long been thought of as the best answer we have to the problem of global poverty. Through small loans and access to finance services, microcredit promised to spur entrepreneurship and give people the means to lift themselves out of poverty. Since the foundation of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh in 1976, the sector has boomed with governments and international development institutions investing millions in programmes and schemes all over the world.  

But…

Use of chemicals in daily essentials in Bangladesh is a much talked about topic in the media and within the civil society. Many articles and reports published widely in the national newspapers and academic reports to address this issue and to mitigate the problem. Responsible government authorities like Dhaka City Corporation (DCC), Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI) and concerned ministries also recognize this as potential threat to human health and promise to revert…

In the first round of grants from the Swedish Innovations Against Poverty programme twelve organisations have been granted funds up to 20,000 euros. These companies are innovating within the fields of energy, agriculture, water, sanitation and financial services.

Since April this year, Sida (the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) is operating the…

Dear Sir,

At first I would like to take the opportunity to briefly introduce myself. After graduating with honors in English literature from Rajshahi University of Bangladesh I started my professional career as a banker with Bangladesh Krishi Bank (www.krishibank.org.bd) since January/2001 (it’s the largest specialized public bank dedicated for poverty reduction, rural development, microfinance and govt. declared and directed…

Multi-commodity exchange of India’s Gramin Suvidha Kendra Initiative

Thursday, 29 September, 2011 

9:00 am NY/2:00 pm London/3:00 pm Johannesburg/6:30 pm New Dehli

Webinar will last approximately one hour.

If you are operating, selling, innovating or investing in the Base of Pyramid energy market, this month’s Editor’s Choice has analysis that you probably need.   Power to the People; Investing in Clean Energy for the BoP in India, illustrates the investment potential of the clean energy sector by delving into sub-sectors,  products, prices and consumer trends.

US$2.1 billion per year is one answer:  the…