GLOBAL
SME FINANCE FORUM
15 - 17 September 2025 | Johannesburg, South Africa
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are crucial for global economies, accounting for over two-thirds of employment and playing a vital role in job creation and economic resilience. However, they face persistent financing gaps that hinder their potential for inclusive growth.
To address these challenges, the SME Finance Forum, managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will host its annual flagship event, organised with strategic partner Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), convening a diverse network of financial institutions, fintechs, and multilaterals. This three-day event will feature thought-provoking discussions and interactive panels to explore strategies for enhancing SME access to finance, driving innovation, and fostering job creation and inclusive growth.
Hosted by


Organised by

In collaboration with

2025 Themes

Improving Market Access

Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

Access to Funding and New Financial Instruments
Highlights from the 2024 Forum
2024 in Numbers

1200
participants

240
institutions

60
countries

80
sessions
2025 Forum Overview

Forum Stage

Private-Public Roundtables
Deep-Dive Workshops
Boardroom Discussions, Breakfast & Lunch Briefings
SME Finance Forum Awards Ceremony
Industry Networking Event
Members’ Meeting
Innovation Hubs
Trainings
Study Visits
2025 Featured Speakers
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Carol Oyedeji
Group Commercial Banking Head
Ecobank Transnational Inc
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Mohamed Gouled
Vice President, Industries
International Finance Corporation
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Natalie Jabangwe
Chief Executive Officer
Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation
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Dr. Patrick Njoroge
Former Governor
Central Bank of Kenya
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Ravi Menon
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN); Ambassador (Climate Action), Singapore & Former Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Carol Oyedeji
Group Commercial Banking Head
Ecobank Transnational Inc
Carol Oyedeji currently oversees the Commercial Banking Business in the 33 Africa markets where Ecobank operates. This scope entails Client relationships in Local Corporate type companies, Small and Medium Enterprises, Faith Based Organizations, Educational institutions, Agric and Government Business. Prior to her present role, she was the Deputy Managing Director of the Bank’s Nigeria subsidiary.
With over 30 years in the Financial Services industry, she has extensive experience across all the client facing segments of Consumer/Retail Banking, Commercial Banking and Corporate / Institutional Banking.
Before joining Ecobank, Carol was the Regional Head of Client Acquisition & Client Relationship for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered Bank, where she oversaw Retail Distribution in the countries across the Region. Carol was also at various times, Head of Business Clients for Standard Chartered Africa, Regional Head for the Bank’s Consumer Banking in West Africa, and Non-Executive Director at Standard Chartered Bank Gambia. She started her Career as a Credit Analyst and later moved into Core Banking in 1995 when she joined the then FSB International Bank (now Fidelity Bank Nigeria).
She has developed critical skills in Strategy development, Sales Management, Credit Analysis, Digital Banking, Product Development, Wealth Management, Asset & Liability Management, and several other areas of financial expertise.
She is a graduate of Chemistry from the University of Lagos and holds an MSc in Financial Management from the University of London and an MBA in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos. She has attended several Leadership courses in Oxford University, INSEAD, Singapore, UCLA and Stanford University. Carol is a member of the Women Corporate Directors Nigeria chapter, honorary member Chartered institute of Bankers Nigeria and member Institute of Directors Nigeria. She also has Board level experience from several Institutions.

Mohamed Gouled
Vice President, Industries
International Finance Corporation
Mohamed Gouled is IFC’s Vice President of Industries. He’s responsible for (i) managing IFC’s global sector communities of practice and ensuring that lessons of experience from IFC operations contribute to the WBG’s global knowledge bank and thought leadership; (ii) leading business development with global clients, as well as IFC’s climate finance and portfolio management; (iii) fostering close collaboration across WBG to align sector strategies, implement the Cascade approach, enhance client delivery, and support policy/sector reforms in WBG countries of operation; and (iv) supporting operational process simplification.
A Djiboutian national, Mr. Gouled was previously VP of Risk and Finance from 2017. Prior to that, he was a Director for IFC’s Special Operations Department, a Chief Credit Officer for EMENA region, and Manager for Financial Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. He started his career at the African Development Bank in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, working for Treasury and the Industry and Infrastructure Departments.
Natalie Jabangwe
Chief Executive Officer
Timbuktoo Africa Innovation Foundation
Natalie Jabangwe is the CEO of the Timbuktoo Foundation, that houses a $1bn start up fund, a leading organization focused on driving innovation across Africa. Under her leadership, the foundation has become a key player in empowering young innovators and entrepreneurs, fostering creativity, and promoting sustainable development through technology and education.
Before joining Timbuktoo, Natalie served as the Group Digital Executive Officer at the Sanlam Group, Africa’s largest non-bank financial company in Africa and overseeing 34 countries and a budget of $600m. From 2014-2021, she was CEO of EcoCash, Zimbabwe’s largest mobile money service, where she was one of the youngest female CEOs in Africa’s mobile financial sector. Her career has been marked by her commitment to leveraging technology to create impactful solutions, earning her recognition as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2018. Natalie is also a 2017 Oxford University Tutu Fellow, reflecting her leadership and influence across Africa.
Dr. Patrick Njoroge
Former Governor
Central Bank of Kenya
Dr. Patrick Njoroge served as the ninth Governor of the Central Bank of Kenya from June 2015 to June 2023, after a 20-year career at the International Monetary Fund. He is currently a member of the Advisory Boards of the "Yale Program on Financial Stability" and the "Global Finance and Technology Network," chair of the "Africa Financial Industry Summit" (AFIS) Supervisory Council, and a member of the Africa Expert Panel for South Africa’s G20 Presidency. He has received several awards and recognitions, including four awards for Africa’s Central Banker of the Year, and recognition in 2023 as a Top 25 African Finance Leader. He holds a PhD in Economics from Yale University.

Ravi Menon
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN); Ambassador (Climate Action), Singapore & Former Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore
Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
Mr Ravi Menon has a portfolio of work in sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.
Mr Menon is Singapore’s first Ambassador for Climate Action and Senior Adviser to the National Climate Change Secretariat at the Prime Minister’s Office. He plays a leading role in Singapore’s efforts to foster collective action internationally and transition planning locally towards a low-carbon future. He is also Chairman of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Asia-Pacific Advisory Board and a member of the GFANZ Principals Group.
Mr Menon is Chairman of the Global Finance & Technology Network, which harnesses technology and fosters innovation for more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystems globally. He is also a Trustee of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Chairman of its Innovation and Enterprise Committee.
Mr Menon is Chairman of ImpactSG, a philanthropy which aims to grow a community of purposeful givers in Singapore and Asia. He is also a Board Member of The Majurity Trust, a charity which deploys cause-based funds for social needs; and a Trustee of the Singapore Indian Development Association, a community self-help group.
Prior to his current roles, Mr Menon served for 36 years in the Singapore Public Service.
As Managing Director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (2011-23), Mr Menon oversaw monetary and macroprudential policies, reformed the financial regulatory framework, and developed Singapore as a green finance centre and a global FinTech hub. On the international front, he served as Chairman of the Network of Central Banks and Supervisors for Greening the Financial System and Chairman of the Financial Stability Board Standing Committee on Standards Implementation.
As Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade & Industry (2007-11), Mr Menon helped to steer the economy during the global financial crisis. As Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Finance (2003-07), he oversaw fiscal policy and government reserves.
Mr Menon is a recipient of the Meritorious Service Medal from the Singapore Government, the Distinguished Alumni Award from NUS, and the Distinguished Leadership and Service Award from the Institute of International Finance in Washington.
Mr Menon holds a Master's in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Economics from NUS.
What Attendees Say About the Forum
The SME Finance Forum’s annual conference meets a critical need in the SME financing world: the need to bring together top decision-makers in a truly thoughtful way, where the International Finance Corporation’s deep knowledge of players can be leveraged to help participants zero in on the partners who can best meet their needs. In most conferences, the search for the right partner is a “needle in a haystack” exercise. Not so at the Finance Forum, and there in lies the magic.

Jane Prokop
Executive Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mastercard
This is my sixth or seventh Annual Meeting I have attended, and I can see the change. Five years back, some of the same people were talking about ideas they were trying out. Now they are talking about successful, profitable business they are running based on those ideas. It is quite gratifying to see that shift happening.

Sandy Kemper
Founder & CEO, C2FO, USA
I’ve been blown away by the quality of speakers, the seniority, and the level of thinking. It’s very clear that if you’re interested in SME Finance, if you’re interested in being part of this global opportunity to change things for small business, this is the place to be.

Rajeev Chalisgaonkar
EVP, Head of Business Banking & Neobiz
US$1500
SME Finance Forum members receive complimentary Industry Passes. Please use the discount code sent directly to you, or email us if you haven't received one: info@globalsmefinanceforum.com
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Forum Stage
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Public-Private Roundtables
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Deep-Dive Workshops
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All Day Dining
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Industry Networking Events
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1-1 Meetings
US$500
US$100 for the first 100 SMEs
For micro, small, or medium enterprises with up to 300 employees, an annual turnover of no more than US$15 million, and at least one year of operations. Click here for eligibility criteria
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Forum Stage
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Public-Private Roundtables
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Deep-Dive Workshops
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All Day Dining
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Industry Networking Events
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1-1 Meetings
Complimentary
For policymakers, regulators and other government institutions only
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Forum Stage
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Public-Private Roundtables
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Deep-Dive Workshops
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All Day Dining
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Industry Networking Events
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1-1 Meetings
Complimentary
For editorial members of the press only
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Forum Stage
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Public-Private Roundtables
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Deep-Dive Workshops
-
All Day Dining
-
Industry Networking Events
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1-1 Meetings