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2026 Global SME Finance Awards

2026 Award Categories

The 2026 Awards recognise a global peer group of leaders driving innovation and impact in SME finance and services.

Best Financier for
Women Entrepreneurs

Launched in 2018 this IFC Banking on Women Initiative, seeks to highlight the successful approaches and models financiers are implementing to better serve women-entrepreneurs in their markets.

Product Innovation
of the Year

The Product Innovation of the Year award recognizes financial institutions for their innovative products or services for SME clients. Both the types of institutions and types of solutions are extremely varied and recognized at the global level.

SME Financier
of the Year

The SME Financier of the Year award recognises financial institutions for providing exceptional support to SME clients in their region, demonstrating market leadership.

Sustainable SME Financier
of the Year

Launched in 2025, the Sustainable SME Financier of the year category aims to recognise market leaders and trailblazers that demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving the SME sector in the industry.

2026 Judging Criteria

Reach: What is the number of SMEs served/financed and volume of financing provided/loan outstanding to the SMEs both directly and indirectly?
Uniqueness & Innovation: Has the project introduced new or cutting-edge innovation? How original is the idea compared to solutions that are currently in use?
Effectiveness & Impact: Did the project/product/service achieve its objectives and targets? What measures have been used to assess its success? What was the impact to your company and industry? 
Dynamism & Scalability: Is the strategy, project, service or product flexible to changes and progressive opportunities?

2025 Highlights

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If you are an awards finalist or judge, please email us at info@globalsmefinanceforum.com for registration information.