Project Overview

A2F Consulting supported the World Bank in providing technical assistance to financial institutions in Lesotho to pilot alternative data-driven lending approaches. The project aimed to enhance access to finance for MSMEs—particularly women-owned businesses—by testing innovative credit assessment methods using non-traditional data sources.

Work Developed

• Supported financial institutions in implementing pilot projects on alternative data-driven credit scoring
• Delivered training and capacity building on MSME lending and innovative credit assessment approaches
• Assisted in integrating external alternative data solutions, including psychometric scoring and digital data collection tools
• Assessed institutional readiness, lending practices, and technical capacity of participating financial institutions
• Facilitated coordination among financial institutions, technology providers, government, and World Bank stakeholders

The assignment was implemented over 4 months and combined technical assistance with pilot implementation support. A2F worked closely with financial institutions to test and operationalize alternative credit assessment tools, generating evidence to support scalable, data-driven lending solutions and improved financial inclusion outcomes.