In Cameroon, Mercy Corps Ventures and REasy piloted a stablecoin-based cross-border payment solution for micro-merchants. Reaching over 900 traders, the pilot enabled them to move more than US$5 million in inventory purchases from Asia while reducing transaction costs by 75%. Sixty-four percent of participants reported higher revenues, with nearly a quarter seeing profit increases above 20%. Results point to strong demand for faster, more affordable payment rails that can strengthen small business resilience amid climate and market shocks.

How did stablecoin based aid perform in one of the most challenging environments for humanitarian delivery? This endline report shares the results of a digital cash pilot in eastern Afghanistan, where families used offline cards linked to stablecoin wallets for the first time. It outlines what worked, including cost reductions, faster delivery, and strong user preference, along with key operational lessons, gender barriers, and what these findings mean for scaling digital payments in low connectivity and high risk settings.

In Kenya, Mercy Corps Ventures and Farm Star piloted a mobile-based solution delivering AI-powered weather forecasts and farming advice to smallholder farmers. Reaching 63 farmers—70% of them women—the pilot saw 80% reporting higher yields, with 97% applying the guidance received. Results point to strong demand and potential for scale, especially as 80% of participants lacked good alternatives.

This call for proposals invites early‑stage startups to join Mercy Corps Ventures’ Ventures Lab in tackling financial exclusion through AI. With up to $50,000 in equity‑free funding, we’re looking for solutions that expand access to credit, insurance, savings, and remittances for unbanked, climate‑vulnerable populations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Apply by December 1, 2025.

As climate-driven water challenges intensify, Mercy Corps Ventures launched a global call to fund tech solutions improving water efficiency, access, and infrastructure for vulnerable communities. We received 243 applications from 48 countries—uncovering powerful trends in innovation across AI, IoT, purification, smart irrigation, and more. This blog shares what we learned and where the most promising solutions are emerging.

In Ghana, Mercy Corps Ventures partnered with Haraka and Grameen Foundation to test blockchain-powered microloans for women’s savings groups. No apps, no crypto wallets, no collateral. The result? Faster, cheaper credit in local stablecoins helping over 500 borrowers — 90% of them women — grow businesses and build resilience.

Selected from 230+ applications in 50+ countries, OPAL for Floods will pilot in Senegal, using AI, satellite imagery, and smart contracts to help Thiès and Grand Dakar act before floods.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, massive amounts of edible food are wasted every year simply because they don’t meet visual standards. Farm to Feed is a women-led startup that turns this “imperfect” produce into valuable supply for commercial kitchens, helping farmers earn more while reducing climate impact. Learn why Mercy Corps Ventures is backing this innovative, climate-smart solution.

How can stablecoins improve the way aid reaches people in crisis? This piece explores a humanitarian cash pilot in Northeast Syria, where farmers received digital payments via stablecoin rails for the first time. You'll find how it worked in practice—from speed and cost gains to vendor hesitancy—plus firsthand insights from local participants, implementation lessons, and what this means for future aid delivery at scale.