Digitising Financial Services: A Tool for Financial Inclusion in South Africa
Could you buy a car or a house without taking out a loan? Most of us couldn’t. And what about covering emergency healthcare costs without insurance? It’s the same challenge. For those without access to financial services, saving enough to cover bills—let alone build wealth—is nearly impossible. This is where the significance of financial inclusion comes in—on a global scale. Read More
Fintech in South Africa is more than just a tale of innovation; it’s a robust narrative of empowerment and transformation. As the African continent faces the ongoing challenges of limited access to traditional banking services – a significant portion of the population is unbanked – fintech innovation has become a beacon of hope, paving the way for financial inclusion and driving economic growth.
Over centuries, our perception of money and value has seen many transformations, influenced by technological advancements and societal changes. For example, the internet and digital technology have made financial transactions more accessible, increasing the volume and ease of paying and receiving funds. As a result, new payment ecosystems are emerging globally, aiming to address the needs of the underbanked and transition economies from cash to digital payments. Read More
Zing founder and healthspan coach Sally Duplantier is on a mission to help people live their best lives longer. “Eighty percent of US healthcare costs are due to conditions that could be reversible or treatable by changes in lifestyle,” she says. “[We’re seeing] a shift from episodic to preventive care.” Read More
Over the past decade, the financial industry has undergone a significant transformation, driven by the rise of financial technology (fintech) and the concept of open finance. Fintech refers to the use of technology to improve and innovate financial services. Accessing services like mobile banking, payment, lending, budgeting and investing via mobile devices has exploded over the last few years, notably in Africa. Couple this with quickly evolving capabilities within open finance, which refers to the idea of using open data that enables the secure sharing of financial information between different institutions to benefit consumers, and we’re creating an open and inclusive financial system accessible to all. Together, these trends have had a major impact on the way that financial services are delivered and consumed and have opened up new opportunities for consumers and businesses alike.
Dear Amy,
A snake came to my water-trough
On a hot, hot day, and I in pyjamas for the heat,
To drink there.
When Bitcoin, a “purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash”, was released in 2008, blockchain (the technology that runs Bitcoin) made its public debut.1 The brainchild of a person or group known by the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto, its expansive technological capabilities were then somewhat unknown. Fast forward 12 years to 2020, there’s now a growing recognition that blockchain can serve as a pragmatic solution to various business problems across industries. Identified as a general-purpose technology (GPT), blockchain is similar in scope to the disruptive power of the internet, the steam engine, and electricity. Even business leaders wary of tech-based solutions and global ‘hype’ have come to realise the larger, transformational importance of this digital technology.2
In order to revolutionise business and redefine companies and economies utilising blockchain technology, it’s necessary to have a foundational understanding of its capabilities and applications.
The rise of big data, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and robotics raises questions about what our future working and business lives will look like. As we move towards an even more digital age, companies and employees are both asking: To what extent will technology replace human intelligence and make jobs obsolete? Previous assumptions about automation and non-employee labor are giving way to a deeper understanding of its challenges in the workplace.
The Weylandt family has been travelling to Indonesia for three generations, discovering its abundant materials, craftsmanship, vibrancy and culture. Java, our latest collection, is a distillation of years of collaboration there; we’ve combined the best of what we’ve created with excellent artisans and refined it into an iconic, heirloom collection steeped in heritage.
