Course Modules:

Module 1: Overview of Innovative Financing for SMEs

• Traditional vs. innovative financing instruments
• Barriers to SME financing and market gaps
• Trends in digital financial inclusion
  Exercise: Map financing gaps across SME lifecycle
  Case Study: How a Kenyan startup raised funds through equity crowdfunding

Module 2: Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer Lending Models

• Types of crowdfunding: donation, reward, debt, equity
• P2P lending platforms: business models and operations
• Risk mitigation and investor protection in crowdfunding
  Workshop: Design a crowdfunding campaign for a sample SME
  Case Study: Peer-to-peer lending platform impact in East Africa

Module 3: FinTech-Enabled SME Finance

• Embedded finance, supply chain finance, and invoice factoring
• Mobile money and digital credit scoring tools
• Platforms connecting SMEs to investors and markets
  Exercise: Compare fintech SME platforms across Africa
  Case Study: How M-KOPA uses fintech to serve underbanked SMEs

Module 4: Regulatory and Risk Considerations

• Legal frameworks for crowdfunding and P2P in Africa
• Anti-money laundering (AML) and KYC for fintech platforms
• Consumer protection and data privacy in digital finance
  Workshop: Regulatory checklist for launching a crowdfunding service
  Case Study: Nigeria’s regulatory sandbox for fintech innovators

Module 5: Integrating Innovative Finance into SME Support Programs

• Partnering with fintech providers
• Building SME capacity to access digital finance
• Monitoring and evaluating impact of digital financing
  Simulation: Teams design an SME funding strategy using fintech tools
  Peer Review: Presentations and expert feedback on financing designs