Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the backbone of economies worldwide, accounting for over two-thirds of global employment and playing a critical role in job creation and economic resilience. However, persistent financing gaps limit their potential to drive inclusive growth and recovery from economic shocks.
The G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) MSME Action Plan provides a timely framework to address these challenges, fostering resilience and innovation among SMEs while aligning with sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Global SME Finance Forum, an official side event of the G20 South African Presidency, will present GPFI’s comprehensive roadmap to address the systemic barriers hindering SMEs’ access to finance.
G20 MSME Action Plan: Financing and Policy Enablers
Green Financing: Advance environmental sustainability through green loans, carbon credits, and incentives for SMEs adopting eco-friendly practices.
Resilient Value Chains:Strengthen sustainable sourcing, fair labour practices, and circular economy models to future-proof SMEs against disruptions.
Tailored Financial Solutions: Provide customised financial tools to promote the financial health and stability of micro and small enterprises.
Scaling Success Stories: Highlight examples of SMEs achieving growth through innovative financing models and sustainable business frameworks.
Digital Innovation: Powering SME Growth and Global Competitiveness
Operational Transformation: Deploy digital tools (AI, blockchain) to enhance efficiency, transparency, and market access for SMEs.
Value Chain Integration:Highlight success stories of SMEs scaling through digital integration, such as streamlined supply chains or cross-border e-commerce platforms.
Global Reach: Equip SMEs with technology to compete internationally, from cloud based accounting systems to AI-driven market analytics.
Empowering SMEs in Sustainability, Resilience and Growth
Bridging Funding Gaps: Strengthening credit infrastructures, collateral registries, and regulatory frameworks to reduce risks for lenders and improve SME access to capital.
Policy Reforms: Promoting policies that facilitate working capital, trade finance, and digital payments while supporting financial technologies that simplify SME operations.
Public-Private Partnerships:Encouraging collaboration between governments, financial institutions, and private sector stakeholders to mobilize resources, mitigate risks, and scale impactful solutions
Welcome to the eighth annual Global SME Finance Awards
In all the categories, we look forward to hearing from financial intermediaries from across the spectrum and globe, to share innovations, experiences, and impact to advance SME Finance. The Awards recognise a global peer group of leaders driving innovation and impact in SME finance and services.
What's New in 2025?
Launching "Sustainable SME Financier of the Year" global category, to recognize industry leaders and trailblazers.
Enhanced benchmarking against four comparable market segments -Commercial Banks, Development Finance Institutions, Non-Bank Lenders, and Technology Innovators.
Don't miss out, winners will be on Monday 15th September in Johannesburg, South Africa.
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 (New)
Launched this year, 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.
Focusing on learning from industry content. Smaller group (20-30) thought leaders, bringing industry innovations / frontier topics / thought pieces for discussions and curating action agenda
Capacity Building
Thematic trainings on key topics
Online tools / data on the event website
Enabling Innovations
Fintech Pitch sessions
Debates, panel discussions, fireside chats
IFC / MDB solutions
Financial Institutions Exhibition Booths
Investors / non-bank enablement
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?
