For millions across emerging markets, limited access to mobile and internet services is more than an inconvenience, it’s a systemic barrier to economic inclusion, education, and essential services.  

Bridging this digital divide requires more than infrastructure. It requires smart ways to unlock access, especially through credit solutions powered by alternative data and advanced machine learning.  

Rethinking financial access in a connected world  

The digital divide reflects a stark reality: billions remain unconnected or under connected, particularly in low-income and remote communities.  According to the World Bank, nearly half of the global population lacks internet access. In parallel, over 1.7 billion people remain unbanked, many without the formal credit histories needed to access traditional financing.  

This exclusion doesn’t just limit connectivity. It restricts participation in the digital economy, stalls entrepreneurial ambitions, and cuts off access to digital education and healthcare. But by making credit more accessible, especially through models built on alternative data, financial institutions can unlock lasting socio-economic change.  

From data to credit: A smarter approach  

Conventional credit scoring methods rely on data such as credit card usage or bank account activity – information often unavailable in underserved markets.  

Ezra takes a different approach. We tap into everyday data from mobile networks, utility payments, and digital behaviour to build real-time credit profiles that reflect actual affordability.   

Using transactional data from Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and utility providers, our proprietary machine learning models assess both creditworthiness and risk dynamically. Our proprietary machine learning algorithms continuously adapt based on repayment performance, fraud signals, and RFM (Recency, Frequency, Monetary) analytics, enabling smart, incremental credit disbursement that protects both the borrower and the lender.      

This approach isn’t without challenges. In markets affected by socio-political volatility or currently instability, maintaining repayment performance requires constant recalibration.      

That’s why Ezra’s credit engine is designed to be agile, built for real-time updates, diverse data inputs, and responsible lending at scale.  

The real impact of better connectivity  

With mobile and internet access, small merchants can launch and grow businesses. Students in remote areas can access online learning. Credit, in this context, isn’t just a loan, it’s a gateway to the digital world.  

Collaboration plays a vital role. Partnerships between credit providers, mobile operators, and financial institutions are expanding access across markets – from urban hubs to last-mile communities.  

In Sub-Saharan Africa, for example, credit solutions offered through mobile platforms have helped micro-entrepreneurs boost income and financial resilience. Rural schools now run remote learning programs enabled by mobile credit services.  

Ezra in action: Turning data into possibility  

At Ezra, our mission is simple: Equal Access, Endless Possibilities. We credit solutions that remove financial barriers and create real-world impact.  

What sets Ezra apart:  

• Real-time assessment of creditworthiness and affordability using advanced machine learning algorithms. 

• Incremental credit disbursement to manage and mitigate fraud risks. 

• High-frequency analysis and refinement of credit models using repayment and transactional data. 

• Proprietary models leveraging alternative data to build comprehensive credit profiles. 

• Capability to manage loan facilities such as microloans, overdrafts, Line of Credit, and Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL). 

Through our partnerships with leading mobile network operators and financial institutions, Ezra has had a profound impact on communities. For example, through our partnership with Orange Money in Botswana, Ezra has extended credit to over 1 million people since 2022. The result: increased customer engagement, low default rates, and growing trust in digital financial services.  

Beyond financial inclusion: Building resilience 

Ezra’s approach is about more than access, it’s about agency. Our solutions promote long-term financial resilience, anchored in responsible lending practices and strong governance. We align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) goals and frameworks to ensure our impact is ethical, measurable and transparent.  

As digital transformation reshapes economies, we believe inclusive credit models must be part of the blueprint. Together with partners, we’re building a financial ecosystem where no one is left behind.  

Bridging the digital divide through inclusive credit isn’t just possible, it’s already happening. With the right technology, partnerships, and principles, we can turn alternative data into new opportunity for millions. 

To learn more about how Ezra is harnessing innovation and technology to bridge the digital divide, contact us today, and join us in our mission to achieve Equal Access and Endless Possibilities.