From duka corner stores in Kenya to food business in Benin and laundries in Chile, micro and small businesses are the linchpin for local economies, providing essential goods and services in underserved areas, creating jobs in places where quality employment opportunities are limited, and generating vital economic activity in communities facing poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the importance of these businesses, while at the same time creating obstacles to their survival and growth. But we’ve also seen how entrepreneurs around the world have responded by adopting new and emerging technologies, accelerating the digital revolution in the global south. What does this mean for the future of small businesses and technology? How can the broader ecosystem support and facilitate digital uptake by entrepreneurs?
This session will explore those questions by drawing upon Moody’s global research and on-the-ground insights from TechnoServe’s work with owners of micro and small businesses.
