Improved economic opportunity and more resilient livelihoods are key to sustainable development in emerging markets. Interventions designed to support micro, small and medium-sized businesses (MSMEs), startup ecosystems and more established value-chains need to be effective in unlocking innovation and employment if they are to contribute to economic growth. Cenfri undertakes several areas of related work including:
Digital economy diagnostics
Support for fintech innovation and research on the platform economy
Digital transformation of MSMEs (including innovations in logistics and digital tools for tourism businesses)
MSME finance – payments, credit, investment and resilience (rethinking insurance to meet MSME needs and better manage the risks they face)
MSME segmentation
Technical assistance to the private sector
Scenarios linked to the future of work and food security
Our work at Cenfri rarely follows the typical rhythms of the calendar year, yet, as 2024 draws to a close, we thought it would be good to reflect on what we’ve achieved. It’s been a busy few months: we’ve worked on around 50 projects and undertaken work-related travel to 19
Despite their potential contribution to economic growth, MSMEs face a variety of risks that hinder their ability to operate and grow. Insurance providers play a critical role in helping MSMEs manage these risks, yet this segment remains significantly underserved. To bridge this gap, insurers must move beyond generic, one-size-fits-all products
Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are crucial drivers of economic growth in emerging markets, yet there is a persistent financing gap that restricts their access to essential capital. This financing challenge affects their ability to scale, manage cash flow, and build resilience against economic shocks, stifling both growth and sustainability. One
A diagnostic study on women cross-border traders between South Africa and Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique Informal cross-border trade plays a significant economic role in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), making up an estimated 30-40% of total intra-regional trade. It is valued at an estimated USD (United States Dollar) 17.6
As in many other developing countries, Ugandan MSMEs play a fundamental role in the economy – accounting for a substantial share of GDP, driving innovation, and employing a large part of the population. However, MSMEs face various risks that often hinder their development and growth. MSMEs are underserved by insurance
Almost half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s trade every year – USD 362 billion of merchandise trade – settles in US dollars, despite the US accounting for less than 10 percent of Africa’s total trade in 2019. We believe that informal trade is even more dollar-based. This begs the question: what drives
Data is the fuel on which the information economy runs; it has allowed businesses like Google, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon and others to grow exponentially by providing their customers with customized content and tailored services. Many companies now use data analytics and its derivatives, machine learning and AI, to understand their
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a fundamental role in the Egyptian economy – they drive more than 80% of GDP growth and 40% of total employment – but they face considerable risks that hinder their ability to thrive. Insurance could bolster
Opportunities await insurers and tech providers who are willing to work together Insurance is a key tool that provides businesses with protection and resilience against risks and that enables them to better bounce back from shocks experienced. However – despite its potential positive impact – micro, small and medium enterprises
Insurers can partner with digital platforms, lenders and insurance aggregators to offer better products that matter for MSMEs. Despite being heavily underfinanced, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth and contribute substantially to employment and innovation. They account for 50% of global employment and 90%
Our work at Cenfri rarely follows the typical rhythms of the calendar year, yet, as 2024 draws to a close, we thought it would be good to reflect on what we’ve achieved. It’s been a busy few months: we’ve worked on around 50 projects and undertaken work-related travel to 19
Despite their potential contribution to economic growth, MSMEs face a variety of risks that hinder their ability to operate and grow. Insurance providers play a critical role in helping MSMEs manage these risks, yet this segment remains significantly underserved. To bridge this gap, insurers must move beyond generic, one-size-fits-all products
Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) are crucial drivers of economic growth in emerging markets, yet there is a persistent financing gap that restricts their access to essential capital. This financing challenge affects their ability to scale, manage cash flow, and build resilience against economic shocks, stifling both growth and sustainability. One
A diagnostic study on women cross-border traders between South Africa and Lesotho, Malawi and Mozambique Informal cross-border trade plays a significant economic role in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), making up an estimated 30-40% of total intra-regional trade. It is valued at an estimated USD (United States Dollar) 17.6
As in many other developing countries, Ugandan MSMEs play a fundamental role in the economy – accounting for a substantial share of GDP, driving innovation, and employing a large part of the population. However, MSMEs face various risks that often hinder their development and growth. MSMEs are underserved by insurance
Almost half of Sub-Saharan Africa’s trade every year – USD 362 billion of merchandise trade – settles in US dollars, despite the US accounting for less than 10 percent of Africa’s total trade in 2019. We believe that informal trade is even more dollar-based. This begs the question: what drives
Data is the fuel on which the information economy runs; it has allowed businesses like Google, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon and others to grow exponentially by providing their customers with customized content and tailored services. Many companies now use data analytics and its derivatives, machine learning and AI, to understand their
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Egypt Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play a fundamental role in the Egyptian economy – they drive more than 80% of GDP growth and 40% of total employment – but they face considerable risks that hinder their ability to thrive. Insurance could bolster
Opportunities await insurers and tech providers who are willing to work together Insurance is a key tool that provides businesses with protection and resilience against risks and that enables them to better bounce back from shocks experienced. However – despite its potential positive impact – micro, small and medium enterprises
Insurers can partner with digital platforms, lenders and insurance aggregators to offer better products that matter for MSMEs. Despite being heavily underfinanced, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are critical drivers of economic growth and contribute substantially to employment and innovation. They account for 50% of global employment and 90%
