BFA Global

Women constitute approximately 43% of the agricultural workforce in developing countries. However, they face greater challenges with limited access to land, credit, and technology. This gender gap in agriculture reduces their productivity and #resilience to climate impacts. Closing the gender gap in agriculture could reduce the number of undernourished people in the world by 12-17%. Learn how in our Climate Landscape Series (Deck 3):https://lnkd.in/dn2uxseJ

Evidence at both the global and regional levels in Latin America highlights the potential for digital programs that are not gender intentional to actually worsen gender inequality. Check out this blog by Gabriela Zapata Alvarez and Elise M. for some recommended actions that can be taken to better support small businesses in Latin America, particularly those that are women-owned. https://lnkd.in/ddfFEUjV Mastercard Strive Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth Marco Antonio Del Río Chivardi Luz Gomez Blanca Aldasoro Aline Schlebach #MSE #resilience #digitalization #LatinAmerica

How do you leverage technology to change the way we work? Michelle Hassan spoke to Cassandra Kiereini and Shivani Kotecha of Shortlist Futures about the role of digital platforms in shaping sustainable work opportunities, particularly in the green sector. They discussed: ✅ The potential of digital platforms to create new green jobs ✅ The expected disruption of work by AI ✅ The challenges and opportunities for women in tech ✅ The evolving nature of work in the digital age Listen to the full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/dDHqw532

BFA Global and New Ventures recently launched the TECA Mexico program to support ventures that positively impact marine-coastal ecosystems in Mexico, especially in Baja California Sur. If you are an entrepreneur or organization with innovative ideas to protect and sustain the marine ecosystem, TECA Mexico wants to help bring your vision to life! Join the program and receive: ✅ Expert training and mentorship to help you refine your idea ✅ Financial support for the top 10 projects ✅ An intensive workshop in La Paz, Baja California Sur, to connect with like-minded individuals Don't miss this opportunity to make a difference! Apply now and help spread the word! https://lnkd.in/dwkpaAZF Nelly Ramírez Moncada Armando Laborde Maria Puch Mariana Madero Tyler Ferdinand Aline Schlebach Santiago Gatica Julian Felipe Rodriguez Beltran #TECAMexico #MarineConservation #BajaCaliforniaSur

Are you attending the China-Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Summit 2024? Shirley Mburu will be on a panel TODAY at 2:00 PM EAT discussing how digital financial services are transforming the landscape for MSMEs in Africa. The panel will explore: ✅ The current state of digital financial inclusion for MSMEs ✅ Innovative financial products and services designed for MSMEs ✅ The role of China-Africa cooperation in advancing digital MSME finance We hope to see you there!🚀 Chinese Academy of Financial Inclusion

📢 We are excited to share Jobtech Alliance's August newsletter! In this edition, learn about: - The opportunities and challenges of integrating refugees into the workforce in their recent research study with Brighter Monday Uganda. - The key questions every jobtech founder should ask when launching a marketplace in Africa. - Instollar, the green workforce marketplace transforming solar energy projects across Africa. - The upcoming WWBA Assembly in Nairobi and their co-hosted  3-part X Spaces series on the importance of Jobtech for growing African economies. Read more and subscribe: https://lnkd.in/dNHAxVWk

How can a climate-focused startup integrate #GenAI technology with SMS delivery to cater to users with feature phones? VUA Inc. and BFA Global's GenAI specialist recently discussed the challenges small-scale #fishers face in accessing financial services and knowledge bases on feature phones. The outcome? An open-source solution that leverages OpenAI's language models to provide context-relevant information via SMS. There are several climate resilience and adaptation use cases that can benefit from this solution, including: Enhanced digital customer support via SMS, such as crop improvement tips based on specific varieties and locations. Personalized climate-related emergency advice, such as which essential goods to prioritize, how to prepare homes to minimize damage, and how to pack an emergency kit. Customized learning journeys to increase climate adaptation awareness and preparation, including information on financial products like insurance and loans. Learn more about the process and access implementation instructions here https://bit.ly/3SSNTGq Vua Inc., a TECA alumni company supported by Climate Collective, is releasing this code and documentation under the MIT license. This initiative allows companies to explore new use cases for climate adaptation solutions and leverage OpenAI’s GenAI technology with SMS delivery in over 27 African Countries through Africa's Talking. Rasima Swarup Hannah Eskinder Titus Nyandoro Mathew M. Egessa, PhD

In sub-Saharan Africa, just 30% of the population uses the Internet, and there are just seven ATMs and five bank branches for every 100,000 adults. In this environment, agent networks serve as crucial links between end customers and the various actors trying to reach them. Jobtech Alliance has invested in Opareta and Avunja Mobile, two innovative startups transforming the 'agent-as-a-service' landscape. Avunja empowers unemployed youth, especially women, to become agents through a super app that aggregates opportunities, integrates learning, and provides multilingual support, while Opareta replaces costly super agents with fail-safe software, allowing agents to manage their businesses more efficiently while absorbing more margin. Learn more:  https://lnkd.in/dBrUZad5 Michelle Hassan Chris Maclay Carmen Wamukoya Mercy Mangeni Nicholas Markham Michael Schwartz Raymond Besiga Marianne Mwaniki

How can we drive sustainability in the green and blue economies? Recently, the CIFAR Alliance and #TECA hosted an insightful Brown Bag session to explore the latest trends, opportunities, and support mechanisms for climate innovation in these areas. Panelists Mary Kashangaki, Hetal Patel, Thando Mazomba, and Tyler Ferdinand discussed: - Emerging trends in climate-smart technologies - Strategies for launching sustainable ventures - Success stories from pilot projects Key Takeaways: - We need innovative solutions to drive sustainability in green and blue economies - Entrepreneurs thrive with ecosystem support, including mentorship, technical assistance, and financing tailored to local contexts. And - Addressing barriers like access to talent, strategic partnerships, and regulatory challenges is critical Watch the full session here: https://lnkd.in/du-f2QiF FSD Africa Mercy Corps Ventures OceanHub Africa

Adaptation finance for communities facing existential climate threats continues to fall drastically short of estimated needs. In Africa alone, the continent faces over half its GDP being at climate risk despite causing just 4% of global emissions. Yet it needs $50 billion annually until 2030 just for adaptation. How can we bridge the climate finance gap for the world's most vulnerable? Innovative models like carbon markets and climate tech could offer direct finance adaptation and build resilience. Check out our Climate Landscape Series to learn more about these strategies:  https://lnkd.in/dn2uxseJ Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CIFAR Alliance Nelly Ramírez Moncada David del Ser Maelis Carraro Ashirul Amin Jane Del Ser Phoebe K. Jacob Winiecki Tyler Ferdinand #climatefinance #innovation #climatetech #adaptation #resilience