Credit for people traditional scoring cannot see.
Tala uses mobile data and alternative underwriting to extend small credit lines to people whom established credit systems cannot assess across East Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
Selection rationale
Why it was selected
People without a conventional credit file are often excluded before a lender considers whether they can repay. Tala uses alternative data to make a rapid decision and deliver small loans through a phone.
Tala reported more than 10 million customers, $6 billion in credit originated, a 92% repayment rate, decisions in under two seconds, and disbursement in under three minutes for most approved customers by May 2025. A peer-reviewed study of marginal applicants in Kenya found higher transaction amounts, wider travel, and higher self-reported income and employment among approved borrowers than rejected controls.Tala operating metrics, May 2025The Accounting Review study
The panel gave greater weight to that recent borrower-outcome study than to reach alone. The research concerns marginal applicants in Kenya, uses self-reported income and employment, and notes the high annualized cost of short-term digital credit. The award recognizes measured access and outcomes, not every price or term in every Tala market.
Extends mobile credit to more than 10 million customers across emerging markets.
A peer-reviewed study tested outcomes for marginal applicants in Kenya.
Reports decisions in seconds and disbursement in minutes for most approvals.