Alternative Data Landscape in South Africa

71point4’s report on the alternative data landscape in South Africa has recently been published by the IFC and is available online here. The study explores the extent to which access to alternative data could enable lenders to serve traditionally under-served segments of the market. These segments include so-called thin file clients who have no credit histories, as well as potential borrowers who lack formal documentation such as salary slips and bank statements with which to demonstrate their capacity to repay loans.