Global Brands Magazine Interview with Mr. Belal Abdellatif – Director of Marketing & Products Development at iscore

Global Brands Magazine recently had the privilege of interviewing Mr Belal Abdellatif, Director of Marketing & Products Development at iscore. He shared invaluable insights into the strategies and vision driving Iscore’s success in the financial technology sector under his leadership.

1. Congratulations on iscore winning the Most Innovative Data Solutions Provider in Egypt. What innovations or strategies do you believe that iscore sets to make it outstanding?

Thank you, winning the “Most Innovative Data Solutions Provider in Egypt” is a proud milestone that reflects iscore strategic vision, and relentless commitment to innovation in the financial services landscape. What sets iscore apart is a combination of cutting-edge technology, a national comprehensive database, and impactful partnerships, all anchored in our mission to support Egypt’s financial inclusion and digital transformation goals. One of iscore tools is its national G2G (Government-to-Government) switch, which enables secure, real-time data exchange between key governmental entities and financial institutions. This infrastructure not only enhances the credibility and speed of credit assessments but also reduces operational bottlenecks and fraud risks, empowering lenders with trusted, up-to-date information at every touchpoint. By integrating this data with AI and machine learning capabilities, we’ve developed advanced analytics tools, dynamic credit scoring models, and automated decision engines that help financial institutions make faster, more informed lending decisions.

2. This award highlights iscore’s contribution to financial technology in Egypt. How do you see the role of data-driven solutions evolving in the region’s financial ecosystem over the next five years?

This award reflects iscore leading role in advancing financial technology in Egypt. Over the next five years, data-driven solutions will be central to the region’s financial ecosystem, from real-time credit decisions to AI-powered financial inclusion. At iscore, our mission is to empower institutions and individuals with secure, accurate, and innovative data. Through our G2G infrastructure, expansive databases, and strategic partnerships, we’re building a scalable data ecosystem that drives smarter decisions, sustainable growth, and greater access to finance across the region.

3. With the increasing demand for alternative credit scoring methods, how is iscore adapting to serve individuals and businesses that lack traditional credit histories?

Financial inclusion is one of the company’s main objectives and focuses. For “new-to-credit” segments, we’ve expanded our models to integrate alternative scoring, powered by big data and artificial intelligence (AI). This transformation aligns with Egypt’s national digital transformation agenda and the Central Bank of Egypt commitment to expanding financial access and strengthening economic formalisation.

4. Egypt is undergoing rapid digital transformation. What role does iscore play in shaping the future of digital lending and financial inclusion?

As Egypt embraces digital transformation, iscore plays a key role in advancing digital lending and financial inclusion through AI, data innovation, and strategic partnerships. Collaborations with e& Enterprise, Qarar, SAS, and Teradata have enabled us to embed advanced analytics, alternative scoring, and decision automation into Egypt’s financial infrastructure. By leveraging our robust data ecosystem and national G2G connectivity, we’re helping financial institutions make smarter, faster, and more inclusive credit decisions, driving real impact across the sector.

5. Data security is a growing concern worldwide. How does iscore ensure the protection of sensitive financial information while maintaining seamless access for institutions? 

At iscore, trust is everything. We protect sensitive financial data through a multi-layered approach—combining robust encryption, advanced authentication, and continuous monitoring. Security and access go hand in hand; our systems ensure institutions get seamless, secure access to the data they need when they need it. With strict adherence to global standards and ongoing investment in cybersecurity, we uphold the integrity and confidence our partners rely on.

6. What do you think is the biggest misconception about credit scoring in Egypt, and how is iscore working to change this perception?

The biggest misconception is that a credit score is a verdict, rather than a reflection of behaviour that evolves over time. Many still view it as a barrier rather than a tool for assessing the creditworthiness of individuals or businesses. At iscore, we’re working to shift that mindset through awareness campaigns, transparent score explanations, and educational outreach that empowers individuals to actively improve their financial standing.

7. AI and machine learning are revolutionizing financial services. How is iscore leveraging these technologies to enhance its credit reporting and risk assessment models? 

At iscore, we’re leveraging AI and machine learning to enhance credit reporting and risk assessment through smarter, faster, and more inclusive models. By integrating alternative data, real-time analytics, and personalized scoring, we’re improving predictive accuracy and expanding access to credit, especially for underserved segments. These technologies also support proactive risk management and fraud detection, all in line with our commitment to innovation and financial inclusion.

8. Many fintech startups are entering the credit assessment space. Do you see them as competitors or potential partners in expanding financial access in Egypt?

We see them as allies & customers. Fintechs bring agility and user-centric design, while iscore provides credibility, infrastructure, and regulatory alignment. Our vision is collaborative; By working together, we can accelerate financial inclusion in Egypt—combining their fresh approaches with our robust infrastructure and data intelligence to reach underserved segments more effectively.

9. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs or professionals looking to innovate in the financial technology space? 

Thank you. Leading iscore through its transformation has been a rewarding experience, and my advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals in the fintech space is simply: start with a real problem and stay committed to solving it with purpose, not just with technology. Technology and innovation are not about chasing trends, it’s about creating meaningful impact. That requires a deep understanding of your market, agility to adapt, and the discipline to build secure, scalable, and compliant solutions, and finally offering an outstanding solution. In our case at iscore, we focused on how data could unlock financial access for millions, and we built around that vision with the right partnerships, infrastructure, and governance. Lastly, surround yourself with people who challenge your thinking and share your values, because in fintech, trust and collaboration are just as important as code and algorithms.

10. Can you highlight the key partnerships that iscore has established, and how they have contributed to iscore success? 

Strategic partnerships have been key to iscore growth and innovation. We’ve collaborated with global and regional leaders like e& Enterprise to enhance AI and data governance, Qarar to automate decision-making and improve risk-based lending, Teradata to build an AI-enabled data warehouse aligned with Egypt Vision 2030, and SAS to develop alternative credit scoring models using non-traditional data. These alliances have strengthened our ability to deliver smarter, more inclusive, and technology-driven financial solutions across the market.

11. Could you provide insights into the upcoming projects and initiatives that iscore will be focusing on in the near future? 

At iscore, we’re focused on several key initiatives that reflect our commitment to digital innovation and financial inclusion. These include the launch of a unified Customer Portal to streamline access to our services, Digital Verification Services (DVS) to accelerate and digitize credit approvals, and our upcoming B2C Mobile App for real-time credit insights and dispute management. We’re also integrating with the Digital Egypt platform to broaden individual access and awareness and advancing alternative scoring models using AI to support smarter, more inclusive lending. Together, these projects reinforce iscore role in shaping Egypt’s digital financial future.