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2026 Global SME Finance Awards
2026 Award Categories
The 2026 Awards recognize 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 recognizes 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 recognize market leaders and trailblazers that demonstrate a sustained commitment to serving the SME sector in the industry.
Congratulations to the 2026 Finalists
Access Bank PLC
ACLEDA Bank Plc.
Banco Cooperativo Sicredi
Banco de Ahorro y Crédito Adopem
Banco de Crédito del Perú
Banco de la Producción S.A. (Produbanco)
Banque du Caire
Banque Misr
BBVA Microfinance Foundation (BBVAMF)
BRAC Bank
Britam Microinsurance Company (K) Limited
C2FO India
Cambodia Post Bank Plc.
City Bank PLC
Cooperative Bank of Oromia
CTBC Bank Co., Ltd.
DAMU Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC
EBANK
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated
Equity Bank Kenya Limited
Fern Software
Fido Micro Credit Ltd
FINCA Uganda
First City Monument Bank
IDB Invest
Illumina Global
Ingemann Data A/S
IPDC Finance PLC
KCB Bank Kenya Ltd
Kifiya Financial Technology PLC
Lendsqr
M1xchange
Mobilink Bank
OKO Luxembourg SàRL
Opportunity International Savings and Loans Ltd.
Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA)
Receivables Exchange of India Limited (RXIL)
Sampath Bank PLC
Sebrae (Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service)
Sinapi Aba Savings and Loans
SME Bank
Social Development Bank
Tam Finans
TEB Faktoring A.Ş.
The Bank of Punjab
The Saudi SME Bank Group
Treesury
Türkiye Vakıflar Bankası T.A.O.
WeBank
Zambia Credit Guarantee Scheme Limited (ZCGS)
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
If you are an awards finalist or judge, please email us at info@globalsmefinanceforum.com for registration information.