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
Category: frontier markets
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.
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.
What next for Ethiopia and its neighbours: Somalia and Eritrea
Ethiopian leaders have always been preoccupied with protecting its territorial integrity. This preoccupation has often involved neighbouring states with an interest in Ethiopian statehood, most notably Somalia and Eritrea.
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).
How is COVID-19 affecting the outlook of Myanmar’s garments industry?
A single industry can push frontier markets into the mainstream. For Myanmar this was pegged to be the garments industry. With wages rising in China, manufacturers and investors have been…
Southeast Asia’s tourism and travel sector after COVID-19: a way forward
The coronavirus started in China before spreading to other countries. Southeast Asia’s travel and tourism sector felt the impact of the virus right away due to the decline in arrivals…
