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Papua New Guinea's Fintech Strategy Aims to Bridge Financial Access Gaps by 2026

Papua New Guinea's Fintech Strategy Aims to Bridge Financial Access Gaps by 2026

Papua New Guinea is focusing on expanding its fintech sector to address significant financial access challenges, particularly in rural areas. The country's National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-2027 aims to integrate two million unbanked individuals into the formal financial system, with a strong emphasis on women's financial inclusion. The strategy includes enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting financial literacy, and fostering partnerships between public institutions and financial providers. Despite progress, such as the rise in national bank-account ownership to over 4.3 million, challenges remain, including a substantial gender gap in financial access and low credit availability. The Asian Development Bank supports these efforts with a $100 million program to improve financial access and maintain international payment connections.
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Papua New Guinea's Fintech Expansion Aims to Bridge Financial Access Gaps by 2026

Papua New Guinea's Fintech Expansion Aims to Bridge Financial Access Gaps by 2026

Papua New Guinea is focusing on expanding its fintech sector to address significant financial access challenges faced by its population. The country's National Financial Inclusion Strategy 2023-2027 aims to integrate two million unbanked individuals into the formal financial system, with a particular emphasis on women. Despite progress in account ownership, with over 4.3 million accounts now open, the gender gap remains a critical issue. The strategy prioritizes financial literacy, digital infrastructure, consumer protection, and partnerships between public institutions and financial providers. The Bank of Papua New Guinea is modernizing the national payments system to facilitate electronic transfers and card payments, supported by a $100 million program from the Asian Development Bank.
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Ecommpay Introduces Self-Serve Payments Platform for UK Micro Businesses

Ecommpay Introduces Self-Serve Payments Platform for UK Micro Businesses

Ecommpay Introduces Self-Serve Payments Platform for UK Micro Businesses
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Assam Government Waives Stamp Duty on Self-Help Group Loans to Boost Economic Support

Assam Government Waives Stamp Duty on Self-Help Group Loans to Boost Economic Support

The Assam government has announced a waiver of stamp duty on loans up to Rs 10 lakh for self-help groups (SHGs). This decision, made by the Assam Cabinet, aims to alleviate financial burdens on SHGs and encourage economic activities within the state. The waiver is part of a broader initiative to support local communities and enhance financial inclusion. Additionally, the Cabinet has approved amendments to the Assam Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges (Regulation of Admission into 1st Year MBBS/BDS Courses) Rules, 2017. These amendments include the allocation of additional seats for specific communities and the reservation of two MBBS seats for orphan candidates domiciled in Assam. The changes are intended to improve access to medical education for underrepresented groups.
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Department of Agriculture Plans Infrastructure Boost to Enhance Philippine Agricultural Sector

Department of Agriculture Plans Infrastructure Boost to Enhance Philippine Agricultural Sector

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in the Philippines, led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., is implementing long-term plans to enhance the country's agricultural sector. These plans aim to improve food security by increasing farm productivity, which could lower food prices and increase the income of farmers and fisherfolk. Key initiatives include developing market farm infrastructure such as post-harvest and cold storage facilities, and farm-to-market roads to reduce logistics costs and post-harvest losses. The DA is also seeking private sector funding through public-private partnerships to expedite the construction of critical farm infrastructure projects. Additionally, the agency has secured $1 billion in funding from the World Bank under the Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Program to improve farm production and boost climate resilience.
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BlindPay Expands Global Payment Infrastructure with Stablecoin API

BlindPay Expands Global Payment Infrastructure with Stablecoin API

BlindPay Expands Global Payment Infrastructure with Stablecoin API
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Nicaragua's Fintech Growth Driven by Remittances and Regulatory Changes

Nicaragua's Fintech Growth Driven by Remittances and Regulatory Changes

Nicaragua's fintech sector is evolving, driven by significant remittance flows from its diaspora. In 2024, remittances accounted for over a quarter of the country's GDP, with continued growth in 2025. The fintech landscape in Nicaragua is characterized by the use of mobile applications, electronic transfers, and digital wallets, transforming how funds are delivered and used. The government has updated regulations to support digital finance, recognizing services like digital wallets and online payment gateways. This regulatory framework aims to formalize digital finance activities and enhance financial inclusion.
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Digicel Expands Fiber Network in St. Lucia to Cover Over 99% of Homes

Digicel Expands Fiber Network in St. Lucia to Cover Over 99% of Homes

Digicel has announced a significant expansion of its fiber network in St. Lucia, aiming to cover more than 99% of homes on the island. This expansion is supported by an investment of approximately XCD6.36 million (US$2.35 million) and will extend Digicel's fiber services to an additional 23,412 homes. The project, which began in July 2025, is currently 50% complete and is expected to finish by September. The expanded network will provide high-speed broadband, IPTV, and bundled service packages to communities such as Anse La Raye, Canaries, Soufrière, and others. This initiative builds on the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program (CARCIP), a World Bank-supported project.
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TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Introduces Smart Money Stage to Explore Future of Financial Services

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Introduces Smart Money Stage to Explore Future of Financial Services

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Introduces Smart Money Stage to Explore Future of Financial Services
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AI-Powered Lender Optasia Utilizes Alternative Data to Expand Credit Access in South Africa

AI-Powered Lender Optasia Utilizes Alternative Data to Expand Credit Access in South Africa

AI-Powered Lender Optasia Utilizes Alternative Data to Expand Credit Access in South Africa
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Orrick Expands Fintech Practice with Poindexter's Appointment in Washington, D.C.

Orrick Expands Fintech Practice with Poindexter's Appointment in Washington, D.C.

Orrick Expands Fintech Practice with Poindexter's Appointment in Washington, D.C.
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Senator Tuberville Advocates for Data Center Expansion in Alabama

Senator Tuberville Advocates for Data Center Expansion in Alabama

Senator Tuberville Advocates for Data Center Expansion in Alabama