Stories and debates we read this week that you may have missed or may be interested in.
- The Economist on how the cellphone is swiftly becoming Africa’s computer of choice. And an even longer and interesting read on Digital Africa in Intelligent Life.
- Ignacio Mas, Senor Advisor for the Financial Services for the Poor program at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, on “Making Peer Incentives work for Savings.”
- Nobel laureate loses final appeal to keep job at Grameen bank.
- Yunus court drama not over.
- Professor Jagwati won’t be sad to see Yunus go, check out his take on the situation in “Grameen vs. Bangladesh.”
- The Sunday Guardian’s Zafar Sobhan takes apart Prof. Bhagwati's op-ed against Prof. Yunus.
- Alext Count, President of the Grameen Foundation weighs in on the Pitt vs. Morduch & Roodman debate.
- MIX improves on David Roodman’s post comparing two sets of microfinance interest data.
- A round-up of research on programs targeting the ultra poor.
- Interview with Esther Duflo on her new book and economics of poverty.
- Humanizing insight into the economic lives of the poor from FAI's Jonathan Morduch.
- Pt. 2 of interview with @MicrofinanceWWB CEO: Distinguishing Microcredit From Microfinance.
- Microfinance USA collects 15 groundbreaking books on microfinance & social entrepreneurship. Which have you read?
Editor’s Note: I’m going to assume that you are seeing plenty of AI content (news and papers, not AI slop, though I’m sure you’re getting plenty of that too) from other sources, so I’m trying to think hard about the marginal value that the faiV can provide. As far as I’ve gotten so far: a) make sure that directly AI-related content does not take up more than 2 of the 5 items, and b) try to focus specifically on the cybersecurity issue for financial inclusion. Beyond that, I’m open to feedback on the value you get from the faiV in relation to AI to help guide us in the future. On a different note, I’ll be making a brief cameo appearance at the e-MFP Inclusive Finance Conference to moderate the opening plenary. If you haven’t registered, do so and I hope to see you there! - Tim Ogden