SME invoice finance eligibility scoring

Overview

Credit teams spend days reviewing thin-file SMEs. We need a transparent scoring model using bankable documents and alternative data that officers can explain to

Posted by

Microfinance lender · Harare

Location

Harare (remote work possible)

Sub-theme

Financial Services & Digital Inclusion

Team size

2–6 people

Pilot budget

Pilot budget on request

Applications close

Open

• Financial Services
• Financial Services & Digital Inclusion

The problem

Background

Credit teams spend days reviewing thin-file SMEs. We need a transparent scoring model using bankable documents and alternative data that officers can explain to customers.

What's going wrong

Credit teams spend days reviewing thin-file SMEs. We need a transparent scoring model using bankable documents and alternative data that officers can explain to customers.

What we need

A strong solution will:

• Ranked shortlist with explainable factors; API or batch upload for loan officers.

Constraints

• Explainable AI only
• POPIA-aware data handling
• audit log of decisions.

Deliverables

By forum week, matched teams are expected to bring:

1. A working prototype or demonstrable approach.
2. Evidence of fit to the problem and constraints.
3. A costed plan for a pilot.
4. A seven-minute pitch for forum week.

How teams are evaluated

Applications and final pitches are scored by the challenge owner and the ZBIF secretariat on:

• Fit to the problem30%

  Does it solve the problem as the challenge owner describes it?

• Technical feasibility25%

  Can the team build and run it with the resources available?

• Cost and scalability20%

  Is it affordable to pilot, and to roll out if the pilot works?

• Team capability15%

  Does the team have the skills and time to deliver?

• Local impact10%

  Jobs, skills or value it keeps in Zimbabwe.

Who can apply

• A registered ZBIF innovator account: innovators, consultancies, technologists, university teams or freelancers.
• At least one team member based in Zimbabwe.
• Able to attend forum week in Bulawayo on 27–28 April 2027 if shortlisted.
• IP ownership and pilot terms are agreed between your team and the challenge owner in the Deal Room.

Timeline

1. 19 Oct 2026 Challenge posted We are here
2. Rolling Applications close
3. Within 3 weeks Matching results sent to teams and the challenge owner
4. Until forum week Build phase, with mentor and challenge-owner check-ins
5. Forum week Live pitch and Deal Rooms in Bulawayo

Data and resources

Shared with matched teams after signing a simple data-use agreement.

• Challenge owner point of contact After matching
• Operational context pack Shared under data-use agreement