gsmeff-website

Forum Overview

 

2024 Theme

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
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
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
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

2026 Themes

Market Layer

Borderless & Embedded Growth

- Cross-border trade rails and digital commerce for SMEs

- Embedded finance within digital platforms and marketplaces

- Financing agriculture value chains and smallholder ecosystems

- Interoperability, standards, and digital trade corridors enabling SME market access

- The role of stable coins and emerging technologies in cross-border payments

-  Insurance and risk management for SME

Capital Layer

Fit-for-Growth Finance

- Blended finance structures to mobilise institutional capital for SMEs

- Climate and transition finance solutions for SME resilience and sustainability

- Tokenised assets and digital capital markets for SME financing

- Risk-sharing mechanisms and capital structures tailored to SME financing needs

- Financing women-led MSMEs and reaching the informal economy

Technology Layer

Infrastructure & Talent

- Artificial intelligence and alternative data in SME credit assessment 

- Digital public infrastructure and financial inclusion, including women and youth-led SMEs

-  Reducing onboarding friction for SMEs through digital identity & KYB innovation

- Energy access and productive use for SME growth

- Talent development and digital capacity building within SME ecosystems

2026 Program Architecture

Despite decades of progress on tools, instruments, and policy frameworks, the global SME finance gap continues to grow. The 2026 agenda asks why the gap is still growing and testing whether the answer is changing.

The program moves beyond frameworks, with three days structured around questions that demand answers and sessions designed to surface decisions, not just dialogue.

Day One: September 14
Unlocking Access

Where is the SME growth stack breaking down, and is the system fixable or does it need to be rebuilt?

Day Two: September 15
Driving Impact

Is the new enabling environment being built at the scale and speed the problem requires, and who is being left behind?

Day Three: September 16
Scaling Innovations

How do we take what the Forum surfaces and turn it into replicable programs, investments, and policy commitments?

2026 Forum Overview

Monday
14 September
Tuesday
15 September
Wednesday
16 September
World Bank Group Main Complex, Washington DC
Venue: Convention Centre
Monday 14th September -
Tuesday 15th September
Learning Day
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 16th September
Public-Private Dialogues
Venue: The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday 14th September -
Tuesday 15th September
Members' Workshops
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 16th September
Strategic Tracks
Venue: The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday 14th September -
Tuesday 15th September
Trainings
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 16th September
Innovation Showcases
Monday 14th September -
Tuesday 15th September
Study Visits
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 16th September
SME Voices
Venue: Convention Centre
Monday 14th September -
Tuesday 15th September
Industry Networking Event
Venue: Convention Centre
Monday 14th September
Networking Drinks
SME Finance Forum Awards Ceremony
Close
World Bank Group Main Complex, Washington DC
Calender Monday, 14th September - Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Public-Private Dialogues
The Forum Stage hosts leadership dialogues on strengthening SME resilience in turbulent economic times. Engage with G20 leaders, policymakers, and financial innovators as they discuss macroeconomic headwinds, trade disruptions, and financing gaps affecting small businesses globally. Sessions explore policy frameworks that enhance financial inclusion, regulatory approaches supporting innovation, and technological solutions bridging the SME financing gap. 
Calender Monday, 14th September - Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 8:55 AM - 5:45 PM
Marker The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Close
Image
Strategic Tracks
The Forum's deep dive roundtables offer an exclusive opportunity to engage in focused, small-group discussions on the most pressing issues in SME Finance. Held under Chatham House rules, these roundtables encourage open and candid dialogue, enabling participants to share insights, explore challenges, and collaborate on actionable solutions. Designed for meaningful interaction, they bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to tackle complex topics and emerging trends in an intimate and confidential setting.
Calender Monday, 14th September - Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 1:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Marker The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Close
Image
Innovation Showcases
Calender Monday, 14th September - Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Close
SME Voices
Calender Monday, 14th September - Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Industry Networking Event
Calender Monday, 14th September
Clock 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
SME Finance Forum Awards Ceremony
Calender Monday, 14th September
Clock 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Close
Image
Networking Drinks
Calender Tuesday, 15th September
Clock 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Close
Learning Day
Calender Wednesday, 16th September
Clock 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Members' Workshops

This session highlights the SME Finance Forum's (SMEFF) transformation journey, showcasing key achievements, strategic priorities, and the collective value driven by member engagement. Attendees will gain insights into recent milestones, including the latest member survey results, the launch of the new Governing Council, and recognition of top contributors. A panel of engaged members will share firsthand experiences, demonstrating SMEFF's impact on their institutions. The session will conclude with an open Q&A to gather feedback and foster meaningful dialogue.

Calender Wednesday, 16th September
Clock 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Trainings

The Forum’s Training sessions offer participants a chance to deepen their technical knowledge on critical topics in SME finance.  Guest speakers from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other SME Finance Forum partners will share practical insights, frameworks, and case studies on key topics such as sustainable finance, digital solutions, agri-finance, women entrepreneurship, non-financial services, and supply chain finance.

The sessions are designed to enhance technical knowledge and support implementation; it offers members an opportunity to engage with IFC experts and gain actionable takeaways to apply within their institutions.

Calender Wednesday, 16th September
Clock 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Study Visits

The Forum’s Innovation Hubs are a member-driven platform that convenes experts and practitioners to explore and advance innovation in SME finance.  Covering six key themes including sustainable finance, digital finance, agri-finance, women entrepreneurship, non-financial services, and supply chain finance, the Hub promotes peer learning and the sharing of good practices.  The session will provide updates from each thematic area, gain access to practical tools and case studies, and gather feedback to ensure that the Innovation Hub continues to deliver high-impact, relevant resources. It also provides a space for members to co-create solutions and deepen peer-to-peer collaboration across geographies and sectors.

Calender Wednesday, 16th September
Clock 9:40 AM - 11:10 AM
Marker Convention Centre

2024 Overview

Five Pillars of the Conference Agenda

Best Practice Transfer

  • Study tours to 10-11 institutions
  • Global SME Finance Annual Awards
  • Panels

Members Engagement 

  • Half-a-day Members-only meeting
  • Member-only Innovation Hub community meetings
  • Governing Council Meeting
  • Facilited members’ bilateral meetings
  • Partners Meeting

Leaders Engagement

  • 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