Carmen Merab

Carmen Merab

Communications & Influence Manager

Carmen is a Senior Communications and Influence Manager at BFA Global. She works across the organization to develop and implement knowledge products and amplify organizational impact and influence. Prior to joining BFA, she worked as a consultant for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), Pepper Concepts, a design and advertising agency and Habari Consulting. Prior to that, she worked for Access Afya in the Monitoring and Evaluation office and at the Federation of Women Groups-Kenya as a Program Coordinator and then as Executive Director. She holds an MA degree in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University and a BA in Social and Behavioral Sciences from the University of Southern Maine.

Publications by this author

From idea to impact: Fellow experiences at a climate venture launcher
Climate Action |

From idea to impact: Fellow experiences at a climate venture launcher

As the world grapples with escalating climate challenges, startups offering innovative solutions for climate adaptation and resilience are more...

By Carmen Merab
Digital payments for vaccine campaigns: an executive summary
Digital Financial Services |

Digital payments for vaccine campaigns: an executive summary

Prompt, regular, and accurate payments promise big improvements in health campaigns, such as vaccines, that rely on a large...

By Benjamin Mazzotta PhD
Bridging the digital divide: How Vua is bringing GenAI and SMS to small-scale fishers
Climate Action |

Bridging the digital divide: How Vua is bringing GenAI and SMS to small-scale fishers

Startups are increasingly using Generative AI (GenAI) to streamline their operations and reach more customers. This is becoming more...

By Carmen Merab
[Press release] Jobtech Alliance Welcomes Eight New Platforms to Its Ecosystem
Inclusive Jobtech |

[Press release] Jobtech Alliance Welcomes Eight New Platforms to Its Ecosystem

Nairobi, Kenya, July 29, 2024 – The Jobtech Alliance steered by Mercy Corps and BFA Global has announced its second...

By Carmen Merab
[Press Release] Ten African Startups Selected to Receive Funding to Develop Blue and Green Economy Solutions
Climate Action |

[Press Release] Ten African Startups Selected to Receive Funding to Develop Blue and Green Economy Solutions

Nairobi, Kenya, July 1st, 2024 – BFA Global, FSD Africa, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)...

By Carmen Merab
Founders in the Making: Insider Insights by Tatiana Wandar
Climate Action |

Founders in the Making: Insider Insights by Tatiana Wandar

In this spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to feature the experiences and insights of a current Africa Blue Wave /...

By Carmen Merab
Founders in the Making: Insider Insights by Samuel Omondi
Climate Action |

Founders in the Making: Insider Insights by Samuel Omondi

In this spotlight Q&A, we’re excited to feature the experiences and insights of a current  Africa Blue Wave /...

By Carmen Merab
From Watamu to the World: Highlights from the Africa Blue Wave & Regen Wave Huddle
Climate Action |

From Watamu to the World: Highlights from the Africa Blue Wave & Regen Wave Huddle

In February 2024, we welcomed 44 fellows representing 12 African countries with a wide cross-section of science, business, and...

By Carmen Merab
44 Innovators Shaping Africa’s Green, Blue & Ocean Future
Climate Action |

44 Innovators Shaping Africa’s Green, Blue & Ocean Future

We are thrilled to announce the fellows selected for the Africa Blue Wave and the Regen Wave – focused...

By Carmen Merab
Could generative AI have helped in the recent floods in the Horn of Africa?
Artificial Intelligence |

Could generative AI have helped in the recent floods in the Horn of Africa?

I was due to travel to our HQ in Kenya mid last year, so I have attentively followed the...

By Juan Diego Martin Soto
Financial diaries in action: An in-depth exploration of the small business economy
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Financial diaries in action: An in-depth exploration of the small business economy

Discover the findings of the ‘Small Firm Diaries,’ a global research initiative that unveils how small businesses manage their...

By Gabriela Zapata Alvarez
Nurturing women’s success in the tech startup ecosystem
Climate Action |

Nurturing women’s success in the tech startup ecosystem

In Sub-saharan Africa, 26% of women are involved in entrepreneurial activity, making it the highest rate of female entrepreneurship...

By BFA GLOBAL
e-Learning Course – Exploring Business Models in the Jobtech Sector
Inclusive Jobtech |

e-Learning Course – Exploring Business Models in the Jobtech Sector

Jobtech Alliance  launched an e-learning course in collaboration with VC4A and the Flip Podcast that delivers insights and case...

By Carmen Merab
What is ‘a job’? How to measure job creation on jobtech platforms in Africa
Inclusive Jobtech |

What is ‘a job’? How to measure job creation on jobtech platforms in Africa

At the Jobtech Alliance, we’re pretty strict about what we consider to be a job created or improved. Based...

By Carmen Merab
[Press Release] BFA Global, FSD Africa and IUCN Launch Africa Blue Wave: A $1 Million Initiative Powering Ocean Sustainability
Climate Action |

[Press Release] BFA Global, FSD Africa and IUCN Launch Africa Blue Wave: A $1 Million Initiative Powering Ocean Sustainability

Nairobi, Kenya, September 4th, 2023 – BFA Global, FSD Africa, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)...

By Carmen Merab
[Press Release] Jobtech Alliance Announces its First Cohort of Inclusive Jobtech Platforms to Create Work Opportunities and Quality Livelihoods in East and West Africa
Inclusive Jobtech |

[Press Release] Jobtech Alliance Announces its First Cohort of Inclusive Jobtech Platforms to Create Work Opportunities and Quality Livelihoods in East and West Africa

Nairobi, Kenya, April 18, 2022 – Today, the Jobtech Alliance, steered by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, announced its...

By Carmen Merab
Evolution of Inclusive Digital Commerce in Ghana
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Evolution of Inclusive Digital Commerce in Ghana

Although “cash is king” remains the mantra in many emerging markets, recent evidence suggests that small merchants benefit from...

By Malika Anand
[Press Release] 7 African Startups to Receive $385k to Develop Solutions for the Blue Economy
Climate Action |

[Press Release] 7 African Startups to Receive $385k to Develop Solutions for the Blue Economy

Nairobi, Kenya, February 8, 2023 – Today, climate resilience venture launcher Triggering Exponential Climate Action (TECA) has announced the...

By Carmen Merab
[Press release] BFA Global and Mercy Corps Jobtech Alliance Announce Launch of Startup Accelerator Programs to Improve Livelihoods in Africa
Inclusive Jobtech |

[Press release] BFA Global and Mercy Corps Jobtech Alliance Announce Launch of Startup Accelerator Programs to Improve Livelihoods in Africa

Nairobi, Kenya, October 27, 2022 – Steered by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, the Jobtech Alliance, an ecosystem-building initiative...

By Carmen Merab
Meet TECA’s inaugural wave
Climate Action |

Meet TECA’s inaugural wave

TECA (Triggering Exponential Climate Action) is thrilled to announce the fellows who have been selected for the first wave focused...

By Carmen Merab
Why we invested: Tulix is enhancing collaboration between African migrants and their beneficiaries back home
Climate Action |

Why we invested: Tulix is enhancing collaboration between African migrants and their beneficiaries back home

One in seven people around the world either send or receive international remittances. Migrants use them as an essential...

By Matias Gonzalez Orozco
Could stablecoins disrupt instant payment schemes?

Could stablecoins disrupt instant payment schemes?

  Context Stablecoins are an alternative means of storing and transferring value usually pegged to a fiat currency (or...

By Matt Grasser
[Press Release] Cash at home still preferred by refugee communities despite an increase in mobile phone ownership: Report
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

[Press Release] Cash at home still preferred by refugee communities despite an increase in mobile phone ownership: Report

The new report by BFA Global, FSD Uganda and FSD Africa fills a data gap through a two-year-long study...

By Carmen Merab
How Refugees Perceive and Cope with Risk
Refugee Finance |

How Refugees Perceive and Cope with Risk

This is part two of an ongoing series of insights from a financial diaries study undertaken with refugees in...

By Michelle Hassan
Digital Finance for Climate Resilience: A Framework for Action Launch Event
Climate Action |

Digital Finance for Climate Resilience: A Framework for Action Launch Event

Millions of people around the world are already experiencing the negative effects of climate change. Unfortunately, many exposed populations...

By Carmen Merab
Measuring the Financial Health of Gig Workers in China
Digital Financial Services |

Measuring the Financial Health of Gig Workers in China

The growth of digital platforms has created new employment opportunities for workers globally that did not exist before. Despite...

By Dr. Xiugen Mo
Digital Finance for Climate Resilience at London Climate Week 2021
Climate Action |

Digital Finance for Climate Resilience at London Climate Week 2021

We believe digital finance and fintech can be a critical enabler in overcoming challenges in access and affordability for...

By Carmen Merab
Linking refugees to formal financial services
Digital Financial Services |

Linking refugees to formal financial services

Financial services are an important avenue for refugees to save money, access loans, and manage life shocks. However, many...

By Anne Gachoka
Webinar: Rebuilding livelihoods in displacement in the wake of COVID-19
Refugee Finance |

Webinar: Rebuilding livelihoods in displacement in the wake of COVID-19

When: Wednesday, August 26th at 3.00 – 4.30 pm EAT Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Uganda and FSD Africa – in collaboration with BFA Global will...

By Carmen Merab
Webinar Recap: The impact of COVID-19 on Financial Diaries respondents in Kenya

Webinar Recap: The impact of COVID-19 on Financial Diaries respondents in Kenya

When: Thursday, June 11 from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm EAT Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, FSD Kenya and BFA...

By Carmen Merab
The “DataStack”: A data and tech blueprint for financial supervision, innovation, and the Data Commons
Digital Financial Services |

The “DataStack”: A data and tech blueprint for financial supervision, innovation, and the Data Commons

Digital transformation of the financial sector has been driving financial inclusion and innovation . Better connectivity, cheaper mobile technology,...

By R2A
First insights from China: The effects of COVID-19 on financial health of MSEs
Financial Health |

First insights from China: The effects of COVID-19 on financial health of MSEs

Webinar: First insights from China: The effects of COVID-19 on financial health of MSEs When: Tuesday, March 31st at...

By Carmen Merab
Webinar: Creating Better Futures for the 5 Million Young Gig Workers in Ghana
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Webinar: Creating Better Futures for the 5 Million Young Gig Workers in Ghana

Webinar Summary BFA Global research shows that the rise of digital commerce has changed the nature of work and...

By Carmen Merab
Making Business Work for Dukas
Livelihoods and Microenterprise |

Making Business Work for Dukas

Understanding the Financial Health of Small Shops in Africa Juma*, a small shop owner in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, is...

By Carmen Merab
How is Client Centricity Shaping Financial Services for the Low-Income Consumer?
Digital Financial Services |

How is Client Centricity Shaping Financial Services for the Low-Income Consumer?

In the current financial services industry, customer experience has become a key differentiator across brands. Today’s customer has more...

By Carmen Merab
Welcoming Sheel Mohnot to the Catalyst Fund Investors Advisory Committee
Inclusive Fintech |

Welcoming Sheel Mohnot to the Catalyst Fund Investors Advisory Committee

Catalyst Fund IAC Profile Series #1 We’re pleased to announce that Sheel Mohnot, partner at 500 Startups and angel...

By Carmen Merab
Four Hiring Strategies for Social Ventures to Find and Keep Talent
Inclusive Fintech |

Four Hiring Strategies for Social Ventures to Find and Keep Talent

When you think about the best companies to work for, global brands and corporations like Google, Apple, GE come...

By Carmen Merab
What Does Access to Affordable and Clean Cooking Fuel Look Like?
Inclusive Fintech |

What Does Access to Affordable and Clean Cooking Fuel Look Like?

Catalyst Fund Learning Agenda Series #2, PayGo Energy The Reality of the Low-Income Customer Maria is a mother of...

By Carmen Merab