Wenxing Wang, Jeroen van Wijngaarden, Martina Buljac‐Samardžić, Joris van de Klundert
Many Global Health initiatives aim to disseminate best practices to developing countries to improve access and quality of care. However, current concepts of successful innovation are primarily based on studies conducted in developed, Western countries. Little is known about the structural factors influencing the uptake of these innovations in non-Western developing countries. This gap motivated our study on the introduction of ‘best international practices in health service delivery’ in China. We conducted semi-structured online interviews with 20 participants, consisting of 10 Chinese, 9 Dutch, and 1 German, to advance scientific understanding of this topic. Four themes of structural factors that influence the adoption and adaption of health service delivery innovations originating from abroad in China emerged. These four themes include: Alignment with governmental policies and regulations, Leadership engagement on multiple levels, Alignment between internal stakeholders, and Matching incentives with both organizational and personal interests. While adoption is always top-down, adaption often follows a bottom-up approach in the Chinese context. Resource scarcity in primary care institutions adds extra difficulties to bottom-up innovations. Health professionals’ motivations to adopt and adapt foreign innovations are primarily controlled (externally) instead of autonomous (internally), which can diminish sustainability. Reducing workload and increasing salaries can facilitate resolving motivation challenges. Our findings indicate that differences exist in the adoption and adaptation of foreign innovations in developing countries with tight government control and a centralized health system such as China, compared to developed countries with decentralized health systems.
This study explores the impact of digital payment adoption and blockchain-based supply chains on the integration of street vendors from Delhi-NCR into global e-commerce. The goal is to examine the potential of digital technologies in supporting business transition and socioeconomic improvement for informal-sector vendors. A mixed-method research design was employed, involving purposive sampling of 250 street vendors engaged in digital payment ecosystems. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to examine hypothesized relationships between digital adoption, business transition, and socioeconomic outcomes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) addressed multicollinearity, and non-linear predictive relationships were analysed using Random Forest modelling. The findings reveal that digital adoption has a significant impact on business transition ( β = 0.64, p < 0.001), which, in turn, has a strong impact on socioeconomic upliftment ( β = 0.58, p < 0.001). Digital adoption also has a direct impact on socioeconomic outcomes that is positive but smaller ( β = 0.21, p = 0.033), suggesting partial mediation. Measurement reliability, validity, and predictive relevance were confirmed through structural model assessments. Digital payments have a limited direct impact on international trade, although they enable vendor inclusion and business transformation. By contrast, blockchain-based supply chain factors greatly enhance the efficiency of logistics, transparency, and supply chain-related performance. The study finds no direct income effects of digital technologies; instead, empowerment operates through entrepreneurial transition. The findings illustrate the need to go beyond financial inclusion and technological infrastructure to ensure the dynamic participation of the informal sector in global markets.
As of 2024, 730 million people worldwide lacked electricity access, roughly eight in ten of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Closing this gap requires engineering approaches suited to the technical, financial, and institutional constraints of low-resource settings, not conventional grid extension alone. This paper reviews four engineering pathways expanding renewable energy access in developing countries — decentralized mini-grids, IoT-enabled pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar financing, frugal engineering, and AI-assisted smart-grid digitalization — using case evidence from Kenya, India, and East Africa's PAYG sector.
This article aims to examine how the metaverse is reshaping business and management by providing a review of existing literature, identifying critical research gaps, and proposing a novel conceptual framework—the Metaverse Ecosystem Model—that integrates technological, human, and sustainability dimensions with strategic business outcomes in the Web3 era. The article will embrace a conceptual knowledge and literature review that articulates conceptual underpinnings, marketing and consumer behaviour, sectoral uses, and sustainability/workforce/boundaryless futures. This was synthesised directly into the creation of the Metaverse Ecosystem Model that connects three pillars (technological infrastructure, workforce skills, and energy and sustainability) to the business opportunities, challenges, and quantifiable results. The review shows that, although the metaverse can be used to conduct immersive marketing, operational efficiency via digital twins, sustainable industrial use, and inclusive development in emerging economies, the studies are disjointed and siloed. Among the critical areas of gaps, there are the lack of integrated frameworks between the foundational enablers and outcomes and the scarcity of empirical focus on long-term sustainability and workforce readiness. The suggested Metaverse Ecosystem Model fills these gaps by showing causal relationships between the three pillars via opportunities and constraints to innovation, new business models, and high customer engagement. It represents the first comprehensive framework of the ecosystem, specific to business and management, which provides managers and policymakers with a useful roadmap to responsible adoption.
India’s aspiration to emerge as a developed nation by 2047 under the vision of Viksit Bharat necessitates the identification and scaling of localized innovations. Odisha, characterized by its socio-cultural diversity and rapid technological transition, presents a compelling case as a living laboratory for future-ready developmental models. This study positions Odisha at the intersection of three transformative domains: algorithmic welfare systems, governance challenges arising from silent urbanization, and the digitization of cultural heritage through Web3 technologies such as NFTs. By integrating quantitative modeling, qualitative fieldwork, and policy analysis, the study proposes a framework for culturally rooted, inclusive, and decentralized development. The findings suggest that Odisha’s experiments in adaptive welfare delivery, the recognition of hybrid urban spaces, and digital cultural economies not only address local challenges but also offer scalable insights for national policy. The state thus emerges as a microcosm of a technologically empowered, socially equitable, and culturally vibrant Viksit Bharat.
Moses Arthur Baidoo, Wang ZhiCheng, Liu Qi, Zhou ShuMin · 6 authors
Access to reliable electricity remains a pressing challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural areas where over 600 million people live without power. This paper explores the potential of decentralized solar energy systems; such as solar home systems, mini-grids, and solar-powered appliances in addressing energy access challenges across rural Sub-Saharan Africa. While these systems offer clean, reliable, and scalable alternatives to conventional grid expansion, their adoption is constrained by regulatory uncertainty, limited financing options, and local capacity gaps. Drawing on case studies from five countries, the paper examines how recent innovations -including mobile-based Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) financing, hybrid renewable systems, and improved energy storage technologies are reshaping energy access models. It also outlines policy recommendations aimed at strengthening regulatory coherence, promoting regional cooperation, and enhancing sustainability. Ultimately, the study highlights how decentralized solar solutions can contribute to long-term environmental, financial, and social resilience, with direct implications for poverty alleviation and inclusive rural development in the region.
Energy poverty remains a critical barrier to socioeconomic development in rural Africa, where millions lack access to reliable electricity. This study explores the state of rural electrification, the consequences of dependence on traditional energy sources, and the potential of solar energy as a viable solution. Using a qualitative secondary research methodology, the study synthesizes data from scholarly articles, institutional reports, and case studies across various African nations, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania. Findings reveal that decentralized solar solutions, such as mini-grids and standalone solar home systems, offer scalable and cost effective alternatives to grid expansion. However, challenges such. Ydf as high upfront costs, weak regulatory frameworks, and limited financing mechanisms hinder widespread adoption. Innovative financing models, including pay-as-you-go (PAYG) schemes and microcredit financing, have demonstrated success in increasing energy affordability, while public-private partnerships (PPPs) have facilitated large-scale solar electrification projects. The study concludes that achieving universal energy access in rural Africa requires strengthened institutional support, policy harmonization, and increased investment in decentralized renewable energy solutions. Policy recommendations include government-led subsidy programs, tax incentives for solar enterprises, and enhanced regulatory frameworks to encourage private sector participation. This research contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable energy transitions by providing policy insights and strategic recommendations for accelerating rural electrification efforts in Africa.
India holds a crucial place in the worldwide leadership of sustainable development since it is the largest democracy in the world and has one of the nations with the greatest economic growth. With innovation, inclusivity, and sustainability at its core, Viksit Bharat @2047 symbolizes India's ambition to become a fully developed country by the century of its independence. Emerging technologies are increasing productivity, boosting global competitiveness, and spurring innovation in various industries. By providing tailored financial assistance & investment suggestions, artificial intelligence-powered chatbots & robo-advisors are democratizing the provision of financial planning services. Decentralized finance (DeFi) systems and other blockchain-based solutions are simplifying trade finance procedures, lowering operating costs, and facilitating safe and transparent cross-border transactions. This chapter examines how innovation and technology are essential to achieving this lofty goal. It provides a thorough examination of India's contemporary digital infrastructure, the country's ascent in international innovation rankings, & the use of cutting-edge technologies including biotechnology, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and space research. The story highlights government programs such as Start-up India, Digital India, and the National AI & Green Hydrogen Missions. Furthermore, the story underscores the importance of inclusive growth, which encompasses youth empowerment, women-led innovation, and rural digitization. Alongside strategic advice, issues like cybersecurity concerns, low investment in research and growth, and the digital divide are also discussed. India is positioned to emerge as a worldwide leader in technology, not simply a consumer, by cultivating a strong innovation ecosystem and utilizing partnerships between university, industry, and the private sector. This chapter provides a comprehensive plan for a tech-powered, inclusive, and sustainable Viksit Bharat before 2047. Higher education is one of the areas that must use developing technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), to achieve Viksit Bharat 2047 (the Developed India 2047). Outside of higher education, artificial intelligence influences technology and economic progress. Young minds will realize this transformative vision as soon as they actively interact with AI. AI literacy empowers students in higher education to investigate, produce, and innovate. Students may do research, find solutions to real-world issues, and alter the course of history as they learn AI.
Open access
Innovation and Socioeconomic Development
Innovations and Analysis in Business and Education
The informal economy of Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for roughly 85% of total employment in Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana, and most of the people working in it cannot get formal credit. This review is bounded to those three markets; Nigeria, the region's largest credit market, is excluded and identified below as the most consequential gap in market coverage. The decade of mobile-based digital lending that followed the launch of M-Shwari in 2012 was a partial correction. It widened access, but it also produced mass blacklisting, over-indebtedness, and outcomes that landed hardest on women and other underserved borrowers. It ran, moreover, on data-extraction practices (contact-list harvesting, device fingerprinting, behavioural telemetry) that are now prohibited across all three target markets. This review sets out the technical and theoretical groundwork for a successor architecture: a privacy-preserving, edge-native credit system built on consented data. The organising claim is that credit exclusion in low-information markets is, at bottom, an information asymmetry problem, and that the structure of peer transaction networks is a form of quantifiable social collateral that can partially close the gap without the extractive practices regulators have moved to stop. Against that frame, we work through four literatures: the empirical record of alternative credit scoring and its failure modes; the regulatory shift that has made extractive architectures legally untenable; the privacy-preserving machine learning stack (federated learning with differential privacy, fully homomorphic encryption, and zero-knowledge proofs) and the real cost each guarantee carries; and graph neural network architectures for financial risk, including their vulnerability to adversarial manipulation. We also ask whether sub-2B-parameter models, quantized to INT4, can run on the low-end Android hardware that target borrowers actually own. Two further problems sit underneath these four and are treated as first-order rather than incidental. The first is that consent in a relational setting is not the same object as consent in an individual one: scoring a borrower from the structure of their transaction graph implicates the counterparties in that graph, and the literature on consent has barely begun to model this. The second is that an architecture built to expand across domains, from finance into agriculture and eventually health, expands its governance surface at the same rate, and the contextual-integrity principle that justifies the credit model also constrains where that data may travel. The most consequential research frontier is not inside any one of these areas. It is at their meeting point: private training of graph-structured models is unsolved, benchmark results have never been tested against African mobile money networks, and the compounding accuracy costs of privacy, quantization, and fairness have not been characterised jointly. We identify the gaps S Labs Finance AI will address, while refusing throughout the comfortable assumption that a privacy-preserving credit model is automatically a welfare-improving one. This revision adds a consolidated execution-risk register and a prioritised contribution roadmap (Sections 5 and 6) synthesised from an internal review of the Phase 1 draft. Coverage is primarily peer-reviewed work from 2019 to 2025, with grey literature (regulatory instruments, industry benchmarks, arXiv pre-prints) included where peer-reviewed equivalents do not yet exist. Jurisdictional coverage is similarly bounded: this review treats Kenya, Uganda, and Ghana as the target markets and does not examine Nigeria's regulatory regime (CBN consumer-protection guidelines, the NDPA) or its competitive landscape (FairMoney, Carbon, Renmoney, Branch Nigeria, Kuda). Given Nigeria's scale, this is flagged as a priority extension rather than a settled exclusion
Entrepreneurship, innovation, and startup ecosystems have become central components of national development strategies, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where youth unemployment, income inequality, and limited formal employment opportunities remain persistent structural challenges. This paper presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 to examine how these interconnected elements contribute to Kenya’s socioeconomic development. Guided by the entrepreneurial passion theory and the risk-bearing theory of entrepreneurship, the review synthesizes both empirical and conceptual evidence across four thematic areas: job creation and poverty reduction; financing constraints and governance weaknesses; the role and reach of innovation hubs; and human capital and skills development. The findings indicate that entrepreneurship plays a significant role in employment generation, income creation, and technological progress in Kenya. Small and medium enterprises continue to absorb a substantial share of the labour force, particularly among youth. However, the study finds that the sector’s overall contribution to national development is limited by restricted access to affordable finance, inconsistent policy implementation, weak institutional coordination, and notable skill gaps among enterprise founders. These structural challenges reduce business survival rates and limit long-term growth. The review further finds that innovation hubs, including Nairobi’s iHub and university-based incubation centres, have created valuable support structures through mentorship, networking, and access to digital infrastructure. Despite these gains, their impact remains geographically concentrated and does not adequately address the needs of entrepreneurs operating outside major urban centres. Moreover, many programs do not sufficiently respond to practical business management and financing challenges faced by early-stage enterprises. The paper concludes that achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 development objectives requires a coordinated and sustained strategy. The study therefore recommended that the government should strengthen entrepreneurship education, expand access to blended financing, decentralize innovation infrastructure, and improve institutional coordination to promote sustainable enterprise development in Kenya
Mario Fernando Herrera Venegas, Martín Wilson Lozano Rivera, Johanna Yadira Zambrano Solórzano
This study develops and empirically validates a budget reform model aimed at enhancing the national transplant system in Ecuador. Employing an applied, cross-sectional quantitative design, data were collected from 109 employees of the National Institute of Donation and Transplantation of Organs, Tissues, and Cells (INDOT) through validated instruments assessing budgetary reform dimensions and transplant activity. Ordinal logistic regression and model-fit tests confirmed a statistically significant relationship (χ², Wald; p<0.05), with a pseudo-R² (Nagelkerke ≈0.997). Results reveal that public underfunding, limited earmarked revenues, and rigid execution rules critically restrict the efficiency and sustainability of transplant programs. Descriptive findings also identified advisory, substantive, and decentralized management processes as institutional bottlenecks. Building on these results, the paper proposes a legislative framework to establish a public trust fund, fed by service fees and fiscal transfers, ensuring transparent, predictable, and decentralized financing for transplantation. The proposed model provides a replicable policy instrument for countries facing fiscal constraints, offering practical strategies to strengthen governance, financial sustainability, and access to organ transplantation services.
Substandard medicines in Nepal represent an under-documented yet critical threat to universal health coverage (UHC) and patient safety, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities. This opinion piece seeks to illuminate the prevalence, drivers, and far-reaching consequences of compromised pharmaceuticals, drawing on both local and global evidence. This paper offers pragmatic strategies to strengthen regulatory capacity and accountability by spotlighting ethical imperatives and systemic gaps. Bridging best practices from international frameworks with Nepal's unique context, I aim to catalyze policy discourse, cultivate public awareness, and spur multi-sectoral collaboration. Ultimately, the goal is to foster equitable and high-quality healthcare for all, reinforcing the moral imperative of safeguarding the integrity of Nepal's medicine supply.Substandard medicines are a pressing, under-recognized public health crisis in Nepal. Despite expanded healthcare access, compromised pharmaceuticals undermine patient well-being and public trust (1,2). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that at least one in ten medicines in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) is substandard or falsified (3). In Africa, reports indicate up to 18.7% of sampled pharmaceuticals are compromised (4). This global issue is significantly influenced by two of the world's major suppliers of medicine, both domestically and internationally: India and China (5). According to estimates from India's Health Ministry, 5% of the nation's medicines are counterfeit and 0.3% are spurious, with one study suggesting that 75% of counterfeit medicines supplied globally originate in India (6). While recent, precise prevalence data for counterfeit drugs from China is not readily available, its role as a global manufacturing powerhouse is undisputed; for example, the country produces approximately 120 billion aspirin tablets annually for the North American market alone (7). A 2024 literature review highlights the historical scale of the issue, noting that 31% of the world's falsified and counterfeit medications are produced in China and Hong Kong (8). This geopolitical context is critically important for Nepal. The country's porous borders with these major pharmaceutical producers (9), combined with its own under-regulated supply chains, significantly heighten its susceptibility to the circulation of substandard drugs (10).A Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) study found that 15.16% of 244 tested medicine batches failed pharmacopeial standards (11). Alarmingly, 62.16% of these were government-supplied. Compromised products included essential antibiotics, analgesics, and iron supplements, with failures in dissolution, assay, fill volume, and sterility. A 2010-2020 review of drug recall notices in Nepal revealed a surge in recalled products, most frequently antimicrobials (2). These findings indicate an ethical breach: public health facilities primarily serve the underprivileged, disproportionately imposing the burden of substandard medicines on them-a direct affront to the principle of justice (12). Patients, often unaware of compromised drug quality due to identical appearance, are denied meaningful informed consent. This erodes trust in the healthcare system and fuels antimicrobial resistance, a global health security threat with severe implications (3).Limited regulatory capacity exacerbates these dangers. In the Nepalese context, chronic under-resourcing of the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) and the National Medicines Laboratory hampers rapid testing and enforcement (13,14). Testing delays can extend for months, allowing compromised medications to circulate (15). While decentralizing drug procurement to local governments was intended to improve responsiveness, this policy has inadvertently weakened quality control due to a lack of local testing facilities and specialized personnel (14).Nepal's crisis of substandard medicines undermines human rights and core ethical principles.Tolerating this compromise of patient safety is incompatible with universal health coverage (UHC) (16). In Nepal, where a significant portion of the population relies on public health facilities for essential medicines, the prevalence of substandard drugs, especially in public health facilities (17), directly undermines the core tenets of UHC. Specifically, it violates the principle of access to quality healthcare: even if services are nominally affordable or free, receiving ineffective or harmful medication means that true, effective healthcare is not being delivered. Furthermore, the consequences of substandard medicines -prolonged illness, treatment failure, or adverse drug reactions -often lead to increased financial hardship for patients who may require further treatment, hospitalization, or experience loss of income due to illness. This directly contradicts the UHC goal of protecting people from financial risks associated with healthcare (18). This creates a two-tiered system, where those with resources can seek higher-quality care in the private sector, while the most vulnerable are left exposed to potentially dangerous treatments. Addressing this inequity and ensuring the integrity of the medicine supply is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental requirement for social justice. Success requires sustained political commitment, collaboration across sectors, and a steadfast focus on the public interest. Nepal must act decisively to eliminate substandard medicines and ensure equitable, high-quality healthcare for every citizen. This is not merely a matter of improving healthcare statistics; it is about upholding the fundamental dignity and rights of every citizen of Nepal.To address this crisis comprehensively, I argue that Nepal must move beyond isolated interventions and adopt a multi-pronged, systemic approach grounded in international best practices and adapted to the local context. The solution to the challenge of substandard medicines is complex, requiring a foundational shift from reactive detection to proactive prevention and quality assurance throughout the entire supply chain.First, the cornerstone of any effective strategy must be the robust implementation of a national quality assurance framework based on established WHO principles (19). This involves the mandatory adoption and enforcement of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for domestic producers, ensuring that quality is built into products from the outset (20).Critically, this must be complemented by the nationwide implementation of Good Storage Practices (GSP) and Good Distribution Practices (GDP), which are presently lacking in Nepal (2). As detailed in WHO guidelines, this requires establishing a comprehensive Quality Management System that governs every stage of the supply chain, from procurement to delivery. This includes temperature-controlled storage and transport, proper documentation to ensure traceability, and rigorous training for all personnel involved (21,22). The goal is to create a secure, transparent, and controlled environment where opportunities for degradation or the introduction of falsified products are minimized.Second, this preventative framework must be supported by strengthening practices at the point of care through the enforcement of Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP). While pharmacistled detection of visibly substandard medicines is challenging and should not be the primary line of defense, pharmacists are integral to maintaining quality assurance (23). The US Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) program has already highlighted the significant impact of GPP implementation on product quality and patient safety in Nepal (24). The urgency of this is underscored by recent local evidence from the Supervision, Performance Assessment, and Recognition Strategy (SPARS) pilot. The baseline assessment from the SPARS pilot, conducted in 2022 across 284 health facilities, revealed alarmingly poor medicines management practices, with an overall median score of only 34% across key performance indicators. Particularly low scores in domains such as storage management and stock management highlight critical, systemic gaps that a robust GPP framework is precisely designed to address (25). Therefore, a renewed focus on GPP-including proper storage, inventory management using the First-Expired-First-Out (FEFO) principle, and patient counselling (26,27)-is not merely a recommendation but an evidence-based necessity to safeguard medicine quality at the final stage of the supply chain.Third, a fundamental overhaul of the national regulatory body is imperative. While establishing a new, fully autonomous commission with civil society oversight represents an ideal long-term goal, a more pragmatic and immediate strategy is to empower the existing Department of Drug Administration (DDA). Given Nepal's resource constraints, strengthening the current regulatory infrastructure is a more feasible first step. Following successful models from other nations, such as the autonomous South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) (28), granting the DDA greater operational and financial autonomy would be transformative. An empowered DDA could then engage in the kind of international collaboration essential for modern pharmacovigilance, such as the recent Memorandum of Understanding between SAHPRA and Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to share regulatory information and expertise (29). Recent progress within Nepal indicates a readiness for such advancement; for instance, with support from USAID MTaPS, the DDA has begun modernizing its document management system by installing secure, access-controlled repositories to increase efficiency and security (30).While these foundational improvements are commendable, they must be viewed as the first steps in a much longer journey. Full regulatory maturity requires sustained investment to build upon these gains. This must include a significant increase in the number of trained inspectors and a shift towards a risk-based inspection model that prioritizes systematic laboratory testing of products from importers and wholesalers before they enter the market, thereby ensuring quality at the source rather than attempting to recall products that have already been dispensed.Finally, these systemic and regulatory reforms should be amplified by leveraging modern technology and strengthening post-market surveillance. A vital component underpinning all these reforms is compliance with Good Practice (GxP) principles. GxP is an acronym for a collection of quality guidelines and regulations designed to ensure that products within heavily regulated industries, such as pharmaceuticals, are consistently safe, effective, and fit for their intended use (31). This framework is not a single standard but an ecosystem of practices-including GMP, GSP, and GPP-that collectively safeguard product integrity.While technology is not a panacea, rigorous track-and-trace systems-using technologies like blockchain or simple 2D barcoding-offer a powerful tool for enforcing GxP compliance and achieving end-to-end visibility. This enables regulators to verify authenticity and rapidly identify diversions in the supply chain (32,33). Such systems, proven to be cost-effective in settings like Bangladesh (34), would support the broader GxP framework (31) and provide crucial data for the empowered DDA. Within this enhanced surveillance system, pharmacists, supported by legally protected reporting mechanisms, become vital nodes for reporting suspected adverse events or quality issues, thereby creating a feedback loop that strengthens the entire regulatory ecosystem (35).The integrity of a nation's medicine supply is a direct reflection of its commitment to health equity and social justice. For Nepal, the continued presence of substandard medicines in the supply chain represents a fundamental contradiction to its goal of achieving universal health coverage. The systemic reforms proposed-implementing a robust GxP framework, empowering an autonomous regulator, and leveraging technology for surveillance-are not merely technical exercises; they are essential acts of building trust with the nation's most vulnerable citizens and affirming their right to safe, effective healthcare. Moving forward, the challenge is not one of awareness, but of political will and sustained action. Ensuring the quality of every pill and vial is not just a matter of public health policy-it is a fundamental test of Nepal's promise of equitable healthcare for all.
Over 1.7 billion people lack basic sanitation, and 2 billion rely on contaminated drinking water, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries. Decentralized solutions offer a viable alternative to centralized systems but face barriers in governance, finance, and the Product Development Process (PDP). This paper examines challenges across seven PDP stages—Function, Assembly, Deployment, Maintenance, Upscaling, Disassembly, and Transfer—through a two-step qualitative sequential design approach. Findings reveal critical gaps, including insufficient funding for maintenance, fragmented regulatory frameworks, and neglect of end-of-life management. Humanitarian markets prioritize speed over sustainability, poor markets demand low-cost designs but lack institutional support, and emerging markets face regulatory complexity and uneven scalability. Practical recommendations include simplifying funding, adopting user-centered modular designs, and strengthening local capacity through partnerships. Future research should focus on governance reforms, sustainable maintenance, and scaling pathways to ensure innovations address the urgent needs of underserved populations. Theoretically, this paper advances understanding of how PDP challenges intersect with market typologies in resource-constrained contexts, offering a framework to analyze and address systemic barriers to innovation. This study contributes to the field of innovation for resource-constrained markets by providing actionable insights for technology providers, financers, and local implementers to address systemic governance, financial, and operational gaps in the PDP.
Energy access and utilization remain highly unequal across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, despite the region's vast natural resources and growing energy needs. This study examines the differential inequalities in energy access and utilization in selected SSA countries, focusing on demand and supply-side constraints, technological opportunities, and the role of government and private sector interventions. The review paper highlights the persistent energy poverty affecting over 600 million people in SSA, particularly in rural areas, where reliance on traditional biomass remains prevalent. Infrastructure deficiencies, high energy costs, and inadequate policy frameworks further exacerbate these inequalities. The paper underscores the critical role of governments in formulating effective energy policies, implementing subsidies, and fostering public-private partnerships to expand sustainable energy access. The private sector's involvement in financing and deploying decentralized energy solutions is identified as a key driver of progress. Recommendations include strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks, expanding regional power pools, investing in decentralized energy solutions, and promoting financial inclusion through innovative funding mechanisms. By addressing these challenges, SSA can move towards achieving equitable and sustainable energy access, fostering economic growth, and improving overall quality of life as key objectives of achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Sustainable finance is becoming an essential tool in addressing critical global environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion with the youth generation emerging as a central driver for green investment models.The research identifies new participatory financial systems led by youth, which promote sustainable development, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, climate change, and the circular economy.We achieve this by examining the shift in investment patterns in general, as well as the specific trends among rich young entrepreneurs, activists, and technologists.This is carried out through an indepth analysis of grassroots actions, case studies, and decentralized finance (DeFi) models.The article explores new ways of engaging youth in crowdfunding platforms, green bonds, tokenized carbon credits, and venture funds that focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, bringing sustainability finance within the reach of all and reducing the entry barrier to green innovation.Furthermore, the study sheds light on the interaction between the benefits of technology and finance, as well as the use of blockchain, AI, and other fintech solutions provided by youth-led platforms to maintain accountability, traceability, and scalability in green investment projects.The paper also examines policy gaps and institutional issues contributing to the inability of young people to access sustainable finance and provides recommendations to facilitate an environment that can foster innovation as well as inclusion in it.The study also identifies young changemakers as key drivers in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by placing them in perspective not just as recipients of sustainable finance, but as creators of its ecosystems.This piece of work is part of the debate around inclusive green growth and a roadmap in terms of empowering the future generation to live within the context of the sustainable economic model.
M. S. Sadiq, Invinder Paul Sıngh, Muhammad Makarfi Ahmad, Bashir Sanyinna Sani
Post-harvest losses represent a major challenge to global food systems, accounting for up to 30–50% of agricultural output losses, particularly in perishable crops such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and fish. These losses significantly impact food security, farmer incomes, and national economies—most acutely in developing countries where infrastructure is limited. Cold storage technologies have emerged as one of the most effective solutions to address this issue by preserving the quality and shelf life of perishable produce. In recent years, agritech start-ups, driven by innovative youth entrepreneurs, have been at the forefront of deploying scalable and affordable cold storage solutions, ranging from solar-powered cooling units to mobile refrigeration systems and decentralized storage networks. This communication critically examines the dynamic intersection of cold storage innovations, youth entrepreneurship, and agricultural value chains. It explores the relevance of key theoretical models such as innovation diffusion theory, sustainable livelihoods framework, and supply chain integration theory to understand the adoption and impact of cold storage technologies. Through case studies and evidence from sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, we highlight how youth-led start-ups are leveraging technology, financing, and digital platforms to bridge critical gaps in agri-logistics. Despite these promising developments, challenges persist, including high capital costs, inconsistent energy supply, inadequate technical skills, and weak policy support. As such, this study explores enabling policy frameworks, investment opportunities, and capacity-building strategies necessary for the sustainable deployment of cold storage solutions. Emphasis is placed on the transformative potential of youth-driven innovations in shaping resilient, inclusive, and climate-smart agri-food systems.
Brittany Hagedorn, Jeremy Cooper, Oluwole Odutolu, Ojukwu Mark Ojukwu · 5 authors
Abstract Background The availability of essential medicines and supplies remains a serious impediment to effective primary health care (PHC) in many lower and lower middle-income countries. Most of these countries rely on centralized procurement, centralized stores, and a “push” distribution system. We describe here the impacts of a large-scale randomized trial in Nigeria, which provided modest funding directly to facilities to spend, on supply availability. Methods Districts in three states were randomly allocated to either direct facility financing (DFF) or performance-based financing (PBF) and matched to a control group. Both DFF and PBF transferred funds to facility bank accounts and allowed the facility management committee to spend on operational costs, including essential drugs. Facilities could procure medicines on the government’s essential drug list from pre-approved suppliers if they were certified by the national drug regulator. We conducted a difference-in-difference (DiD) analysis using facility survey data to assess the impact on availability of essential drugs and supplies. Results Drug availability was initially similar for the three arms of the trial (9 of 29 essential medicines). After three years, DFF and PBF facilities had significantly higher product availability than control (p<0.05). This amounted to an increase of 28/ 34 percentage points in DFF/PBF facilities (an additional 8/10 products, respectively), and only 10% in control (3 additional products). We did note that there was little difference between control and intervention arms in the availability of medicines for donor-supported vertical programs like immunization, family planning, and malaria. However, there were very large improvements for products like antibiotics, obstetrical drugs, diagnostics, and TB medications. Conclusion Providing funds directly to health facilities improved drug availability. It was superior to the typical centralized procurement and “push” distribution system that is widespread in lower-income settings. This approach is already spreading and should be adopted more widely.
Muhammad Mukhlis Kamarul Zaman, Zahari Md Rodzi, Yusrina Andu, Nur Aima Shafie · 7 authors
Blockchain integration in microfinance is beginning to reshape the scenario of financial inclusion and economic empowerment in emerging markets. To support a strategic decision on adoption, the study introduces the Adaptive Utility Ranking Algorithm (AURA), a newly established Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) method to be used in evaluating blockchain-based alternatives relevant to microfinance in Malaysia. AURA stands apart from traditional MCDM techniques in that it has a distance function that is flexible and a normalization scheme that is dynamic by nature, thereby making it capable of offering the decision maker more leverage in terms of adaptability to actual economic conditions. For demonstrating the methodology, a simulated dataset based on eight blockchain-modeled alternatives and six criteria considered important in economic performance was constructed. These criteria were used for sensitivity analysis; the application of comparative evaluation of well-known MCDM methods such as TOPSIS, VIKOR, and COBRA; and robustness checks with the simulation methodology, all of which helped attest to the reliability of AURA. Even though it was based on synthetic data, the study has provided strong conceptual insight into the possibility of financial institutions being able to prioritize options from the technology perspective under complex economic constraints. Portraying AURA as a competitive decision-support tool for technology evaluation in microfinance will certainly make an impact.
Background: Solidity is the primary programming language used for developing smart contracts on Ethereum, representing a new generation of programming languages developed entirely in open environments. Objective: This longitudinal case study examines contribution patterns and emotional dynamics within the Solidity GitHub repository over a ten-year period (2014-2024). Method: We developed a contribution index combining metrics from developer activities (commits, pull requests, comments, and temporal engagement) and applied emotion detection to study communication patterns in a decade-long dataset of developer interactions. Results: The top 1 % of contributors are responsible for around 85 % of project contributions, yet the project exhibits dual paths to prominence: early contributors established technical foundations through code, while later contributors achieved influence through reviews and discussions. Emotional patterns show transitions from initial curiosity and confusion to eventual approval and gratitude. Conclusion: The project's recognition of diverse contribution types and evolving emotional dynamics enables sustainable growth despite concentrated contributions, demonstrating how open-source languages can evolve while maintaining both technical rigor and community engagement.
Natalia Zakharchenko, Natalia Dobrova, Eduard Karazhiya
This article examines the key sectors and emerging trends in venture capital investment focused on technology startups.It highlights industries such as fintech, biotechnology, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, clean technology, robotics, and the metaverse that are increasingly attracting the attention of venture capitalists.Purpose.The purpose of the study is to analyze the rise of venture capital investment in startups aligned with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles, focusing on how these companies contribute to sustainable business development and long-term value creation.The study also explores new opportunities for venture investment beyond traditional hubs such as Silicon Valley.Findings.The findings demonstrate the growing importance of ESG-compliant startups, which are attracting significant support due to their focus on environmental sustainability and social responsibility.The article also looks at the democratization of access to venture capital through crowdfunding and decentralized finance (DeFi), enabling a wider range of startups to raise funds.In addition, the article describes examples of 2023 startups, such as Trove, Charm Industrial, Ecovative Design, Ampersand, Verne Global, Living Carbon, Commonwealth Fusion Systems, and TerraPower, that have received significant venture backing for their innovations in renewable energy, carbon capture, clean transportation, and sustainable materials.Conclusions.Venture capital investment in technology startups is evolving rapidly, driven by the need for innovation in sustainable sectors and global economic shifts.The research shows that ESG-focused companies and new financial models have an important role to play in shaping the future of venture capital and driving long-term growth in key technology sectors.
Halima Ahmad Gwadabe, Shehu-Alimi Elelu, Musa Ojeba Innocent, Ganiyat Omotayo Ibrahim · 6 authors
Infectious disease control and environmental sustainability are interconnected challenges requiring integrated solutions. Traditional approaches often overlook their synergies, limiting long-term effectiveness. This study explores win-win strategies that simultaneously enhance public health outcomes and promote environmental sustainability. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted, analyzing sustainable health interventions, policy frameworks, and technological innovations. Key areas such as integrated vector management [IVM], water, sanitation, and hygiene [WASH] programs, and climate-resilient health strategies were examined. Findings highlight that IVM reduces vector-borne diseases while minimizing pesticide resistance, WASH interventions prevent waterborne diseases and reduce pollution, and climate adaptation strategies mitigate disease risks while promoting ecological balance. Policy recommendations include decentralized health governance, incentives for sustainable practices, and global financing mechanisms. Technological innovations such as mobile health [mHealth], big data analytics, and eco-friendly health technologies enhance sustainability and efficiency. Integrating sustainability into infectious disease control is critical for long-term global health security. Future research should focus on scalable solutions and interdisciplinary approaches to maximize health and environmental benefits.