The global financial landscape is being reshaped by the rapid adoption of mobile technology, creating new pathways for credit access outside of traditional banking systems. This surge in mobile lending, powered by innovative financial technology (FinTech), is democratizing finance and reaching millions of individuals and small businesses who were previously underserved. Understanding how to design, launch, and manage a secure and effective mobile lending platform is a crucial skill for anyone looking to capitalize on this digital revolution and build sustainable financial solutions for a connected world.

This course delves into the core mechanics of mobile lending, from leveraging alternative data for credit scoring to seamlessly integrating with existing financial infrastructure through APIs. Participants will gain practical insights into the technological, operational, and ethical considerations required to thrive in this fast-paced sector. By exploring the entire lending lifecycle—from user acquisition to loan repayment and recovery—you will be equipped to build innovative products that are not only profitable but also promote responsible financial inclusion.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• Product managers in the FinTech sector
• Financial technology startup founders
• Digital lending platform developers and engineers
• Risk analysts and credit officers
• Business development professionals in financial services
• Regulators and policy advisors
• Data scientists and analysts
• Investment professionals focused on FinTech
• Professionals in telecommunications and mobile network operations

Objectives:

• Master the mobile lending value chain from end-to-end.
• Understand key credit scoring models using alternative data.
• Grasp the role of APIs in building a connected financial ecosystem.
• Identify and mitigate operational and cybersecurity risks.
• Design a user-centric mobile lending application.
• Analyze market data to inform product development.
• Comply with key regulations and client protection principles.
• Evaluate and select appropriate technology stacks.
• Develop a strategy for customer acquisition and retention.
• Recognize and address ethical dilemmas in digital lending.

Module 1: The Mobile Lending Ecosystem

• The evolution of lending from traditional to digital
• Key drivers of mobile lending adoption
• Major players in the FinTech lending space
• The role of mobile network operators (MNOs)
• Understanding the FinTech for financial inclusion landscape

Module 2: Customer Acquisition & Onboarding

• Strategies for acquiring users in a digital-first world
• Designing a seamless and user-friendly onboarding process
• The importance of a smooth know-your-customer (KYC) journey
• Using digital identity and biometrics for verification
• Onboarding challenges and solutions for the unbanked

Module 3: Alternative Credit Scoring Models

• The limitations of traditional credit bureaus
• The power of alternative data (e.g., mobile phone usage, social media)
• Machine learning and AI in creditworthiness assessment
• Building and training a credit scoring algorithm
• Ensuring fairness and minimizing bias in algorithms

Module 4: FinTech Integration via APIs

• The concept of open banking and its relevance
• What are APIs and how do they work in financial services
• Integrating with payment gateways for disbursement and repayment
• Connecting to data providers and third-party services
• The role of APIs in creating a seamless user experience

Module 5: Product Design and User Experience (UX)

• Principles of human-centered design for financial products
• Designing for mobile-first and low-data environments
• Creating a simple and intuitive user interface (UI)
• User journey mapping for a mobile loan application
• Usability testing and iterative design

Module 6: Risk Management in Mobile Lending

• Identifying key risks (credit, operational, fraud)
• Fraud detection using behavioral analytics and data patterns
• Managing credit risk and default through automated systems
• Strategies for debt collection and recovery in a digital context
• Cybersecurity best practices for mobile platforms

Module 7: The Lending Lifecycle

• The automated loan application and decision process
• Disbursing funds to a mobile wallet or bank account
• Real-time monitoring of loan performance
• Automated repayment collection and reminders
• Handling disputes and customer support

Module 8: Data & Analytics for Growth

• Using data to optimize the lending process
• Analyzing customer behavior and product usage
• Segmenting customers for personalized offerings
• Using predictive analytics for churn prevention
• The importance of a robust data governance framework

Module 9: Legal and Regulatory Landscape

• Navigating the regulatory environment for digital lending
• Client protection principles and consumer rights
• Laws on data privacy and security
• Responsible lending guidelines and preventing over-indebtedness
• The importance of a collaborative relationship with regulators

Module 10: Future Trends in FinTech

• Embedded finance and its impact on lending
• The rise of cryptocurrencies and blockchain in FinTech
• The role of super apps and ecosystem banking
• AI-driven personalized financial advice
• The future of financial inclusion and digital credit

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.