Financial leaders have reaffirmed a unified commitment to building a data-driven, inclusive, and innovation-led credit ecosystem for Africa at the 2025 Africa Credit Expo.
Speaking on behalf of Olayemi Cardoso, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Fidelis Odia, deputy director said access to credit “is not merely a financial transaction but a catalyst for entrepreneurship, job creation, and long-term economic stability.”
The CBN highlighted reforms and the shift to digital agriculture as Odia outlined ongoing reforms by the Credit Data Aggregators (CDA) and the CBN to strengthen Nigeria’s credit infrastructure.
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These include the Comprehensive Credit Reporting System, the National Collateral Registry, and the financial inclusion strategy that has guided lending reforms in recent years.
He noted that the government’s strategic focus has now “pivoted decisively toward digital agriculture, with efforts underway to deploy technology and field innovations to make credit more accessible and affordable for households and small businesses.”
According to him, building an integrated credit reporting ecosystem for the continent demands more than regulation. “It requires deep collaboration, mutual trust, and active participation from banks, regulators, fintechs, service providers, and consumers.”
Odia also stressed the importance of data integrity, consumer protection, and ethical financing as the core of Africa’s emerging credit systems.
The CBN reaffirmed commitment to expanding access to credit and strengthening Nigeria’s regulatory framework as the CBN’s deputy director said, “Together, we can build a future where access to credit is a sustainable opportunity for all.”
Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun, MD/CEO of CreditRegistry, announced several major initiatives aimed at accelerating financial inclusion and responsible credit use.
She unveiled Africa’s first-ever ‘Black Friday on Credit’, an initiative offering financially disciplined consumers and SMEs premium products at competitive prices—entirely on credit.
“We do more than provide data and loans; we are here to transform lives,” she said, urging participants to explore the Expo’s activities and innovations.
Jameelah also spoke on the Africa Consumer Credit Academy (ACCA), which aims to deliver financial literacy education to 3 million African families and businesses by 2030.
To strengthen regional partnerships, she announced the signing of new strategic MoUs with Afrieximbank, MANSA Digital Initiative, and the University of Lagos.
These partnerships, according to her, will build ‘an infrastructure of trust’ that enables African businesses to thrive across borders.
Experts at the 2025 Africa Credit Expo made emphasis on data, alternative scoring, and real-time lending with a spotlight on the growing importance of data-driven credit scoring across Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Damilola Owoeye, senior credit manager at Stanbic IBTC, said innovations like SmartScore now allow real-time borrower assessments with minimal information. “A level is done for score, and the other for affordability. SmartScore has made life easy for both borrower and lender.”
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Henry Obiekea, MD of FairMoney Microfinance Bank, highlighted the rise of alternative data in credit analysis. “We use telecom data, SMS information, and behavioral indicators to assess willingness and capacity to pay.”
He stated that credit bureaus like CreditRegistry now provide even broader insights since they track borrowers’ repayment activities across multiple lenders.
Jameelah Sharrieff-Ayedun urged stakeholders to leave the expo with a commitment to action. Using a reimagined proverb, she said, “Teaching people to fish is not enough — we must empower them to own the pond.”
She called on the continent’s financial leaders to rewrite Africa’s financial narrative through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose.
