Remittance fintechs are disrupting the world of global payments by reducing the cost of cross-border money transfers. This <a href="https://www.ft.com/">Financial Times</a> article highlights how digital transfer services are challenging the high costs of remittances and the impact that could have on global banking. CFI's managing director, Mayada El-Zoghbi, offers her insights on falling remittance prices, the impact of the pandemic on transferring money, and potential risks down the line.

El-Zoghbi believes that a target for the global average remittance charge of three percent or below by 2030 is "within reach." She also points out structural factors that have caused digital transfer payments to rise, including travelers being unable to transfer cash themselves during the lockdown. Finally, El-Zoghbi mentions the potential risks of monopolistic behavior from big payment businesses down the line.

Read the full article <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1f11b38b-54d6-451c-ba4b-48843efa329d?shareType=nongift">here</a>.

Financial Times Quotes Mayada El-Zoghbi on Global Remittances

As a guest on <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/podcasts/hidden-economics-of-remarkable-women-hero/">The Hidden Economics of Remarkable Women (HERO) podcast</a>, Julia Arnold talks about the Household Dialogues program, where couples meet with financial counselors to initiate open communication about household finances and decision-making, led by the nonprofit CARE in Uganda.

Arnold explains that addressing the gender gap, from bank account ownership to mobile phone ownership, is more than just providing access to resources. The <a href="https://www.careevaluations.org/evaluation/digital-subwallets-and-household-dialogues/">Household Dialogues</a> program helps address the social and normative gender constraints that can also prevent women’s financial inclusion.

She concludes with the hope that providers, governments, donors, and investors all work together to do their part in understanding where the existing gender gaps are and the various ways they can each address them.

<a href="https://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/bio/julia-arnold">Arnold</a> is the Senior Research Director for Women’s Financial Inclusion.

Listen to the full episode <a href="https://foreignpolicy.com/podcasts/hidden-economics-of-remarkable-women-hero/?episode=saving-more-by-changing-gender-roles-in-uganda">here</a>.

Foreign Policy Interviews CFI Gender Lead Julia Arnold About Women’s Economic Empowerment

EL-Zoghbi discusses how COVID-19’s economic shocks are affecting incomes, and elaborates on the population segments most vulnerable to pandemic-induced shocks.

She also describes why financial inclusion alone is not enough, and how financial inclusion – especially when paired with digitization – can help distribute support from humanitarian and governmental organizations to the base of the pyramid.

Furthermore, El-Zoghbi mentions the Microfinance Coalition’s calls to action aimed at awareness-raising among <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/microfinance-coalition-call-to-action-for-investors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">investors</a>, <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/microfinance-coalition-call-to-action-for-donors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">donors</a> and <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/microfinance-coalition-call-to-action-for-policymakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">policymakers</a>.

Lastly, she predicts that insurance products will see higher demand, and notes that the crisis requires collective action that goes beyond market-oriented solutions.

El-Zoghbi is a member of the Advisory Council of BBVA's <a href="https://www.bbvaedufin.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Center for Financial Education and Capability</a>.

Read the full article <a href="https://www.bbva.com/en/how-to-strengthen-the-finances-of-the-vulnerable-population-against-the-crisis/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

&nbsp;

BBVA Interviews Mayada El-Zoghbi on Financial Inclusion in the Pandemic Era

The elderly, young people, the homeless and casual workers are just some of the groups that might have a difficult time participating in the economy, the article notes. Some do not have the skills to use digital payments, do not have access to the internet, do not have a credit history or a fixed address:

A dependence on cash can be linked to the digital divide that exists in both rich and poor countries, said Mayada El-Zoghbi, managing director for the Center for Financial Inclusion (CFI), an independent U.S. think tank.

“A move to a cashless society will not benefit all groups equally. The groups that are most likely to be excluded will be women, rural communities, and the elderly,” she said.

Read the full article <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-banks-britain-trfn-idUSKBN23X0XE" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

&nbsp;

Reuters Quotes Mayada El-Zoghbi on Going Cashless During the Pandemic

On each episode of Peter Renton's long-running show, the Lending and Fintech Podcast, a different leader in fintech and finance is interviewed in depth. On episode 245, Mayada touches on the following topics:
<ul>
 	<li>Her background in inclusive finance</li>
 	<li>The work that she did on the Global Findex database</li>
 	<li>Why she decided to take the job to be the head of CFI</li>
 	<li>The mission of CFI today</li>
 	<li>Why improving financial inclusion is about far more than technology</li>
 	<li>The geographies they focus on and the types of demographics</li>
 	<li>The relationship between CFI and Accion</li>
 	<li>How COVID-19 has impacted the agenda for CFI</li>
 	<li>The silver lining that could come out of this crisis</li>
 	<li>How it will affect the gender gap</li>
 	<li>What more fintech companies should be doing today in this area</li>
 	<li>The priorities that CFI is focused on beyond the current crisis</li>
</ul>
Listen below, or visit this episode's podcast <a href="https://www.lendacademy.com/podcast-245-mayada-el-zoghbi-of-cfi/">page</a>. Lend Academy's podcasts are available on iTunes and Stitcher.

Lend Academy Podcast features Mayada El-Zoghbi

The <a href="https://www.elespectador.com/economia/colombia-lidera-entorno-para-la-inclusion-financiera-regional-articulo-888988">article</a> (in Spanish) notes that Colombia -- along with Peru, Uruguay and Mexico -- lead the <a href="https://centerforfinancialinclusion.org/global-microscope-2019/">Global Microscope 2019</a> rankings this year. Supported by CFI and the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, an updated Microscope is published every year by the <a href="https://www.eiu.com/n/">Economist Intelligence Unit</a>. It assesses the enabling regulatory environment for financial inclusion in 55 countries worldwide.

<a href="https://events.iadb.org/calendar/event/20252?lang=en">FOROMIC</a> is hosted annually by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

In El Espectador: CFI, Mayada El-Zoghbi Mentioned in Microscope Coverage

Following the <a href="/id2020-summit-2019">ID2020 Summit</a> in September, Eric Noggle, Senior Research Director, talks to Good ID about the intersection between good digital ID and broader socio-political change. Read more in <a href="https://www.good-id.org/en/articles/everything-connected-making-good-id-matter/">Everything Is Connected: Making Good ID Matter</a>.

Eric Noggle, Senior Research Director, on Making the "Good ID" Movement Matter

The event, “<a href="https://www.unsgsa.org/resources/news/unsgsa-queen-maxima-world-leaders-participate-unga/">Financial Inclusion for Development: Building on 10 Years of Progress</a>,” included the participation of António Guterres, UN Secretary-General; David Malpass, President of the World Bank; Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation; Dan Schulman, President and CEO of PayPal; and Ajay Banga, President and CEO of Mastercard.

Watch Mayada ask Queen Maxima about measuring financial inclusion's progress within the framework of the SDGs, and how financial inclusion contributes to achieving the SDGs by 2030. Queen Maxima is the <a href="https://www.unsgsa.org/">United Nations Secretary General's Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development</a>.

More video coverage of the event can be found <a href="http://webtv.un.org/search/financial-inclusion-for-development-building-on-10-years-of-progress/6089500721001/?term=finance%20for%20development&amp;lan=english&amp;sort=date">here</a>.

&nbsp;

CFI Managing Director Asks Queen Maxima About Financial Inclusion's Role in the Sustainable Development Goals

Bansal, the <a href="https://www.centerforfinancialinclusion.org/about/what-we-do/the-smart-campaign">Smart Campaign</a>'s Senior Director in South and Southeast Asia, notes that the problem over-indebtedness is more severe in the island country than elsewhere.

She also points out that the government's decision to write off business loans of up to 100,000 rupees falls short.

"One-off measures will not do, says Ms Bansal: Sri Lanka needs properly enforced rules that prevent over-indebtedness and ensure fair treatment of borrowers."

Read the <a href="https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2019/08/15/microfinance-is-driving-many-sri-lankan-borrowers-to-despair">full article</a> (soft paywall).

In The Economist: Hema Bansal on Over-Indebtedness in Sri Lanka

Barres's questions that Libra's developers should consider when innovating for the new cryptocurrency are:
<ul>
 	<li>What would data privacy agreements look like if we wanted them to be understandable, fair and with an option to opt out?</li>
 	<li>How would algorithms that did not discriminate be set up?</li>
 	<li>How might fully transparent, low-cost and high-quality products and services that truly solve problems be brought to bear?</li>
</ul>
Read the <a href="https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1g0hvpnhqmyg0/cryptocurrency-facebook39s-libra-is-this-how-we-get-to-responsible-fintech">full article in Euromoney</a>.

In Euromoney: Smart Campaign's Isabelle Barres Poses Questions About Libra

News

Michael Schlein spoke to Devex about the latest edition of the <a href="https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/globalfindex" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Findex</a>, on how the pandemic has created both challenges and opportunities for financial inclusion.

<a href="https://www.devex.com/news/devex-invested-a-once-in-a-lifetime-chance-for-financial-inclusion-103542" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Devex Invested: A 'once-in-a-lifetime' chance for financial inclusion

Accion Venture Lab completed a new investment in AquaExchange, which provides full-stack digital and proprietary farm management solutions and financial services to aquaculture (fish and shrimp) farmers in India. Venture Lab co-led the pre-Series A round with Endiya Partners.

<a href="https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/aquaexchange-raises-3-mn-from-endiya-partners-accion-venture-lab-122063000312_1.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

AquaExchange raises $3 mn from Endiya Partners, Accion Venture Lab

The Center for Financial Inclusion announced the launch of the fourth annual Inclusive Fintech 50 (IF50) Competition, a global initiative that competitively selects 50 early-stage, inclusive fintechs that aim to advance financial inclusion.

<a href="https://techcabal.com/2022/06/28/inclusive-fintech-50-launches-2022-competition-to-recognize-fintech-startups-driving-inclusive-finance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Inclusive Fintech 50 Launches 2022 Competition to Recognize Fintech Startups Driving Inclusive Finance

This article provides a roundup of ImpactAlpha’s spring season of Agents of Impact Calls, which included an episode on how fintechs are building resilience in Africa featuring Accion Venture Lab's Amee Parbhoo. The co-founder of Accion Venture Lab portfolio company Apollo Agriculture was also featured on a separate episode on climate adaptation.

<a href="https://impactalpha.com/call-roundup-agents-of-impact-debate-carbon-pricing-corporate-disclosure-responsible-fintech-and-more/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Seven Calls: Agents of Impact on carbon pricing, political risk, climate adaptation, responsible fintech and more

This article shares findings from the <a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVjjsOwyAMQE-TbI0M5hMGhi69h7GhQWqbKGHo8eu1kuXBetZ7kpOws2nu2YK1EHQZCD4t4iOzAZPCShhXMzkg5r5_lv18zluOJjoS75AKk6HkHCmOgZoH_YX5lbcxjmvC-2QfOnQcSwCp3Et9XQvvbz2-W7_1j9TvfOar7NtZz3_RyFrnY3MtElTbVGVXQHFxRZGqCYpUMK0QFs9eVIFAwLE1TEXDUzSKjHqNH2H4RaU" data-cke-saved-href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVjjsOwyAMQE-TbI0M5hMGhi69h7GhQWqbKGHo8eu1kuXBetZ7kpOws2nu2YK1EHQZCD4t4iOzAZPCShhXMzkg5r5_lv18zluOJjoS75AKk6HkHCmOgZoH_YX5lbcxjmvC-2QfOnQcSwCp3Et9XQvvbz2-W7_1j9TvfOar7NtZz3_RyFrnY3MtElTbVGVXQHFxRZGqCYpUMK0QFs9eVIFAwLE1TEXDUzSKjHqNH2H4RaU">60 Decibels Microfinance Index</a>, of which Accion is a founding partner. Nearly 90% of the 18,000 microfinance clients surveyed reported a higher quality of life as a result of their loan.

<a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVj0tuwzAMRE8T72TQ-llaeNFN70FJZKLCsVJJhZGevgqQTQEC8zAkB2TafIpa-ilvEqQEK5UEoxc7B2N9sIDSOwTDfNGAMeZyzKVep9vGMQF5qwMwJbl4xQZc4kVHJ8eqnvbt1vujXdTHRX6OOs9z5lIDtTmW-zBa7tSG4nEQZ9rT4NcRQ8C--EV3_Co196coLBYHAOKeYy2cDzwiiVBqLSfVJho-Rb9RrmIveLTRKa1TenvfP7i_U_bMNIKnuv2eeFz__9U31JYxyRSVcxQ86bBqjTERqKDNCmOEYOGAKphokoWkACGuzMqH1S1-Xf4ABrdp7A" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Majority Of 18,000 Microfinance Borrowers Say Their Loans Boosted Their Quality Of Life

This column profiles Mastercard as a leader in AI and mentions that Mastercard has been working with Accion to improve microfinance credit decisioning with AI.

<a href="https://sloanreview.mit.edu/article/becoming-an-ai-powerhouse-means-going-all-in/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Becoming an ‘AI Powerhouse’ Means Going All In

John Fischer is quoted in this article, which shares the overwhelmingly positive impact of microloans and how inflation threatens to increase interest rates and impact borrowers the most. John spoke about how portfolio companies have been affected by rising interest rates, stating that "in anticipation [of the rate increases], they are getting [funding] offers at slightly higher rates than what they were getting last year.” The article also mentions that Accion is a funder of Northern Arc Capital, which is funding microlenders in India.

<a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVTjluxSAQPY3dYQ3LsBQUaXKPAYZvKz8mAiRLOX1oI73irdIrMZRsVNivqEApsEorQCPtkdCGZIFU8ARY62aAcr7afbT-2s-ovGPK7DF7oozojXPaJCyFdPLF7e94zvkzNv2xqc-F53mORL23exy5fS-H-rzym8eilYu47smdxxSdJovz-uIh3u3hvpI1YJHaWi89BEqLqCQG5_Yefx-6X___zUjGViqqZO09p8AmOWMoFwadDDpYFQZZ03qLGYuFooEgu1p1SM7L4OQfX05X1w" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

How the Fed’s Rate Hikes Will Squeeze Borrowers

At the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Accion announced an additional commitment to the Partnership for Central America to expand financial services to 1 million people across the Northern Triangle countries within the next five years. Michael Schlein attended the Summit and spoke on a panel moderated by Michelle A. Williams, dean of Faculty at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, who authored <a href="https://thehill.com/opinion/international/3514261-heres-how-to-move-the-needle-on-standards-of-living-in-the-americas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">an op-ed published in The Hill</a> on addressing the root causes of migration in Central America.

<a href="https://www.bloomberglinea.com/english/10-companies-to-invest-19b-in-el-salvador-guatemala-and-honduras/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

10 Companies to Invest $1.9B in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras

Accion Venture Lab's Amee Parbhoo spoke at a virtual ImpactAlpha event on fintech, crypto, and financial inclusion in Africa. This article recaps the event, which you can also watch <a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVjstOwzAQRb8m2RHNw_bYCy-QoKtKfIM9tptKtIHiNoGvJyyR7uroSOeWGIoaCuM5EhCBg0BoPfupWcw5qMuiYFRgMJBUz8t1Wm6ncY7VkUMnxCYVJSNIxWWn6JMNhZjG9zj3_vE18PNAh33ruk7fy73fc510ufyR1HUe-PAY-OXpuG3b2-vn8eHHW_xZ0_X0v9hjMM4RSxNBwbq_VYSEAhUTEhm_KxWw5cTZqi0OCkMCldY4ZPEYBH8B8spErA" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="8">here</a>.

<a href="https://impactalpha.com/call-no-43-how-responsible-fintech-in-africa-provides-resilience-in-a-downturn-video/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Call No. 43: How responsible fintech in Africa provides resilience in a downturn

<a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVj01uhTAMhE8DuyDnB0IWLLrpPYwdP6LyEhRSPbWnb9SuKlmz8Hy2ZngLTM6EMW0GjIGli9Zg1ikKLxbtalmTcysNDpAolTyV-hiPTQdiAZHQFcUQzB4ca--NZiJw47kdrV33YN8G894nPS-khud14ETl2TetqM_Msd4NM6t2RPXHqCLqmagWSRkzRYX3x6-9l1rLqx8oTjVSO7_6l7Fu3y_Mj_8B29ZbzV6ceIRoBDWaFSw73xtxdMgdiaBlR7vPNPMCbAGBvIgNu1918PoHezJZuw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">This article</a> shares findings from the <a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVjktqxDAQRE9j72L6I1vSQotsco9Wt3pGMGObGUNCTh9tA0UtioL3rGTTQHnuhYAItlGIQGlpbhsLJzbUEJJOAUS1H_tyvG7zvVQUdoA158xOVTZPDQUkWcAaq8-Pcr-u8z3x50RfI3KeywbWtNf2eC96PMf49P7Rd2s_86v8fst--4-5ynBbowePAo1cUCgBW4jDy1oQG5cG6FW4rrraADAIaHTnXGPCHPEPjhBDNw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="8">60 Decibels Microfinance Index</a>, of which Accion is a founding partner. Nearly 90% of the 18,000 microfinance clients surveyed reported a higher quality of life as a result of their loan. The article also emphasizes, however, the importance of improving consumer protection practices to address the 6% of clients surveyed who said their payments were a “heavy burden.”

<a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVj01uhTAMhE8DuyDnB0IWLLrpPYwdP6LyEhRSPbWnb9SuKlmz8Hy2ZngLTM6EMW0GjIGli9Zg1ikKLxbtalmTcysNDpAolTyV-hiPTQdiAZHQFcUQzB4ca--NZiJw47kdrV33YN8G894nPS-khud14ETl2TetqM_Msd4NM6t2RPXHqCLqmagWSRkzRYX3x6-9l1rLqx8oTjVSO7_6l7Fu3y_Mj_8B29ZbzV6ceIRoBDWaFSw73xtxdMgdiaBlR7vPNPMCbAGBvIgNu1918PoHezJZuw" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

&nbsp;

To understand the impact of microfinance, ask the borrowers directly

Accion Venture Lab completed a follow-on investment in R5, which leverages vehicles as collateral to extend loans to customers in Colombia. R5 also offers other financial services including vehicle insurance. Global Founders Capital led the US $7 million Series A round.

<a href="https://www.semana.com/finanzas/credito/articulo/las-fintech-en-colombia-ahora-apuntan-al-mercado-de-vehiculos/202221/?utm_term=Autofeed#Echobox%3D1653417071" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Las ‘fintech’ en Colombia ahora apuntan al mercado de vehículos

Michael Schlein is quoted in <a href="https://thenextweb.com/news/how-accion-can-help-fintech-startups-bring-life-changing-accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this article</a>, which shares how Accion is supporting inclusive fintechs around the world. Accion Venture Lab portfolio companies NOW Money and Goodfynd are featured as examples of companies that are improving the lives of underserved populations. Michael Schlein is speaking on a fireside chat on inclusive fintech at the TNW Conference on June 16 in Amsterdam.

<a href="https://thenextweb.com/news/how-accion-can-help-fintech-startups-bring-life-changing-accessibility" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

How fintech startups can help the underserved and make a profit

Rahil Rangwala's appointment as co-managing partner of Accion Venture Lab was included in this weekly transitions roundup.

<a href="https://www.philanthropy.com/article/joyce-foundation-taps-new-chief-strategy-officer-exponent-philanthropy-picks-next-ceo" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Read more</a>.

Joyce Foundation Taps New Chief Strategy Officer; Exponent Philanthropy Picks Next CEO

Accion Venture Lab's Ashley Lewis spoke on this podcast - which follows <a href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVT0FuxCAMfM3mRmTACXDIYS_9hwGTIEVJBETb9vVl21MlezwaeTR2XFwMqNyQFwVKASopLUqwI7nZRJyM16gYcH4gUAj5PMazrMO2JKV9jEayhW40UjEHy8ZqlggYadiXrbWrPvTzoT568dG4XCVXHq_CtXaptrNkfrN3eB-AHSR0eG3Uqjj4s4l0FpFyd4dN0FpyuPd2FxYb0962QJ2SKJSaOJPIR7xrK1-iXhxyykEUXu-dWr-8Cjqi2HnN9U8Qs7W_aUNZvl90rP-fbEv0zigPyF7hbFOYIyK73hGNpyn1FQaZPGk_hSnOEDUQBJOSdt5Y6Yz8AUFqbzc" data-cke-saved-href="http://email.accion.org/c/eJxVT0FuxCAMfM3mRmTACXDIYS_9hwGTIEVJBETb9vVl21MlezwaeTR2XFwMqNyQFwVKASopLUqwI7nZRJyM16gYcH4gUAj5PMazrMO2JKV9jEayhW40UjEHy8ZqlggYadiXrbWrPvTzoT568dG4XCVXHq_CtXaptrNkfrN3eB-AHSR0eG3Uqjj4s4l0FpFyd4dN0FpyuPd2FxYb0962QJ2SKJSaOJPIR7xrK1-iXhxyykEUXu-dWr-8Cjqi2HnN9U8Qs7W_aUNZvl90rP-fbEv0zigPyF7hbFOYIyK73hGNpyn1FQaZPGk_hSnOEDUQBJOSdt5Y6Yz8AUFqbzc">last week's episode</a> - alongside the CEO and co-founder of Venture Lab portfolio company Khazna on trends in Egypt's fintech space.

<a href="https://enterprise.press/stories/2022/04/17/whats-next-in-fintech-part-ii-fundraising-69552/">Listen here</a>.

What’s Next in fintech, part II: Fundraising

The challenges facing the world’s most vulnerable people seem to keep mounting. Our uneven global recovery from the pandemic is worsening inequality and widening divides. In <a href="https://thenextweb.com/news/fintech-for-small-businesses-will-be-key-to-tackling-the-worlds-growing-inequality" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">this article</a> published by TNW, Accion President and CEO Michael Schlein shares how Accion opened doors to powerful solutions after helping people and small businesses respond to the evolving obstacles created by COVID-19.

Michael Schlein will also be speaking at <a href="https://thenextweb.com/conference?msclkid=33eab76dbb3c11ec8a09394272cfc5e9" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">TNW Conference</a> on June 16-17.

Fintech for small businesses will be key to tackling the world’s growing inequality

Accion Venture Lab's Ashley Lewis spoke on this podcast alongside the CEO and co-founder of Venture Lab portfolio company Khazna on trends in Egypt's fintech space.

Read more and listen <a href="https://enterprise.press/stories/2022/04/10/whats-next-for-fintech-agriculture-healthcare-a-raft-of-industry-specific-regulations-and-legislation-68810/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.

What’s Next for fintech? Agriculture, healthcare + a raft of industry-specific regulations and legislation

Accion Venture Lab portfolio company Khazna announced that it has raised US $38 million in Series A debt and equity led by Quona Capital. Accion Venture Lab also participated in the round, which will help Khazna provide banking and financial services to Egypt’s 50 million financially underserved people.

Read more in <a href="https://techcrunch-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/techcrunch.com/2022/03/31/egyptian-financial-super-app-khazna-raises-38m-from-quona-capital-and-lendable/amp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">TechCrunch</a>.

Egyptian financial super app Khazna raises $38M from Quona Capital and Lendable

Catalyst Fund announced its tenth cohort of fintech companies that are working to improve the resilience of underserved and climate vulnerable communities in emerging markets. Startups in this cohort were approved by Catalyst Fund’s Investor Advisory Committee (IAC), which includes representation from Accion Venture Lab and Quona Capital.

Read more in this <a href="https://ventureburn.com/2022/02/african-startups-join-tenth-catalyst-fund/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ventureburn article</a>.