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The Dark Side of Development

David R. Whitehouse, Mila Agius

Global South Regulatory Intelligence: microfinance, fintech.

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Issues145Founded4 years agoLast Issue9 hours ago
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Latest Issues

IFC to end global microfinance consumer protection, source says

Not Our Problem

The IFC is set to announce that it will stop accepting microfinance consumer protection cases globally, a World Bank source familiar with the matter said.

The Dark Side of Development is a reader-supported publicati...

9 hours ago

Triodos Impact-Investing Mask Conceals a Profit Machine

A screenshot from Mexican microfinance lender TiendaPago showing an annual average interest rate of 857%. Thanks to Zac Coleman for spotting.

The Triodos responses to the questions we asked are reproduced in full and verbatim at the botto...

5 days ago
13
1

The Dark Side of Remittances: Eritrea, Cambodia, Myanmar

Image: IOM Cambodia via X.

Remittances are the poster child of development. Money sent back to poor countries from diasporas in richer ones, the argument goes, can play a key part in financial inclusion and economic growth.

Provid...

12 days ago
8

CGAP stuck in echo chamber on microcredit

Image: CGAP via Facebook

A new paper published by the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) on microcredit is a case study in group-think and institutional conformity.

The CGAP think-tank is housed at and administered by the...

19 days ago
9
11

India central bank to curtail smartphone locking by digital lenders

The Dark Side of Development is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Indian central bank has presented revised proposals to restrict the locking of smart...

22 days ago
7
1

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Authors

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  • David R. Whitehouse

    Journalist, author, historian (PhD). Former Bloomberg editor of 17 years, then 6 years at The Africa Report. Contributor to The Banker (FT). Microfinance, fintech regulation in developing countries. Weekly updates.

  • Mila Agius

    I track the early signals shaping the future of money, business, reputation, and media – before they harden into normal life. Behavioural analysis, fintech, trust, systems. No hype. Just clarity. A fixed analytical voice, not a personal identity.

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