Phosphate is a vital source of phosphorus – commonly used in the production of fertilizers. It is something you associate with food security, not conflict. Well, not until you visit Boucraa, a massive open-pit phosphate mine in Western Sahara – a desolate windblown territory controlled by Morocco.
Category: emerging markets
Coronavirus could create a lockdown generation in Latin America if governments don’t act
Both the quantity and quality of jobs are deteriorating rapidly as a result of the economic paralysis created by the pandemic. The UN’s International Labour Organization estimates that the health crisis will push unemployment rates in the region up from 8.1% to 11.5% in 2020
E-waste: how emerging markets can leapfrog to circular economy
According to Wikipedia, India is the “fifth largest electronic waste producer in the world” with approximately 2 million tons of e-waste being generated annually plus an undisclosed amount of e-waste coming from other countries around the world.
US anti-abortion “gag rule” hits women hard: what we found in Kenya and Madagascar
US President Joe Biden has reversed a Trump administration policy that prohibited US funding for nongovernmental groups that provide or refer patients for abortions.
Fintech in Uruguay: The Silicon Valley of South America
Uruguay’s current government has been pushing for financial inclusion and putting in place new banking laws that support the use of electronic payments, among other measures.
FinTech in Chile: Big Data for SMEs and Ethical Banking
Chile’s biggest challenge for the banking sector and specially for FinTechs is to make people move their money from “under the mattress” to a bank. Being innovative with disruptive solutions is a game changer for Chilean FinTechs.
No IKEA in Brazil: local furniture brands pose fierce competition
So, why is Brazil the odd-one-out in the IKEA’s emerging markets success? The reasons are many
FinTech in Argentina: turbulent economy brings opportunities for startups
Argentina has a very different economic history than its neighboring countries like Brazil. The Argentinian banking industry is broken and more FinTech startups are challenging the status quo, despite many hurdles.
Why it’s easier for India to get to Mars than to tackle its toilet challenge
According to the Indian census of 2011, only 46.9% of the 246.6 million households in India had their own toilet facilities, while 3.2% had access to public toilets. In this context, the remaining 49.8% households had no option but to defecate in the open.
FinTech in Colombia: Ready for financial inclusion
Just behind Brazil and Mexico, Colombia has become very attractive for FinTechs. The growth rate of the Colombia FinTech industry has reached 60% in 2019 (20% more than the regional average).
