Latest Insights
VC Investment trends in Southeast Asia Q1’20
According to the KPMG publication, Venture Pulse, Q1’20 saw China’s lockdown towards the end of January resulting in a slowdown in VC deals activity in the country. As COVID-19 evovled throughout the Southeast Asian region, VC investors hit the pause button, particularly those with interests in China.However, while deal volume decreased over Asia, three were…
Challenges to electric vehicles adoption in India
Inc42 lists the following challenges in the adoption of electric vehicles in India: Lack of battery cell manufacturing The complete absence of primary battery cell manufacturing in India means that India is reliant on importing batteries from China, the dominant country in the battery supply chain, manufacturing around three quarters of the battery manufacturing of…
Egypt embraces the benefits of renewable energy
According to the recent IRENA Renewable Energy Outlook report, Egypt is the most populous country in North African and the Arab region and home to one of the fastest-growing populations globally. This had led to an increase in energy demand, putting a strain on the country’s domestic energy resources, even amid substantial recent offshore natural…
Vietnam’s bright future for solar power
Vietnam is set for a surge in power demand and consumption over the coming decade reports Fitch Solutions. This Southeast Asian country is said to be one of the most carbon intensive countries in the world regarding greenhouse gas emissions, ranking only after China and Mongolia in the East Asia and Pacific region, according to Energy Live…
Egypt’s promise as a fintech hub in the MENA region
With an increasing local prominence, Egypt’s fintech services market is making its presence felt in the wider Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions. This is underpinned by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) which is set to launch a USD 100 million fintech fund early in 2020. Currently, the CBE is facilitating the creation…
Key industries being impacted by the powerful ASEAN Internet economy
According to Fintech News, various key factors are contributing to the ASEAN Internet economy: the widespread uptake of mobile phones, a growing middle class, according to a new report by Google, Temasek and Bain & Company. This is underpinned by the fact that this region is home to the most engaged mobile internet users which…