gsmeff_hp_header_2-1

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

2025 Themes

Improving Market Access​
Improving Market Access​
  • Leveraging technology with appropriate risk management frameworks.
  • Emphasising value chain integration and building cross-border digital infrastructure to facilitate participation in global markets.
  • Enabling new corridors for financial flows. 
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills
Developing Entrepreneurial Skills
  • Building digital literacy and data-driven decision-making.
  • Adopting digital solutions to drive efficiency, agility, and competitiveness.
  • Scaling successful approaches from leading entrepreneurs. 
Access to Funding and New Financial Instruments
Access to Funding and New Financial Instruments
  • Harnessing fintech innovations and non-bank lending solutions.
  • Developing robust digital public infrastructure to lower barriers and costs for SME financing.
  • Enabling regulatory frameworks that support new financial instruments and local currency solutions. 

2025 Forum Overview

Monday
15 September
Tuesday
16 September
Wednesday
17 September
Forum Stage
Venue: The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday 15th September -
Tuesday 16th September
SMEFF Community Meeting: Catalysing Impact
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 17th September
Private-Public Roundtables
Venue: The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Monday 15th September -
Tuesday 16th September
Innovation Hubs
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 17th September
Deep-Dive Workshops
Monday 15th September -
Tuesday 16th September
Trainings
Venue: Convention Centre
Wednesday 17th September
Boardroom Discussions, Breakfast & Lunch Briefings
Venue: Convention Centre
Monday 15th September -
Tuesday 16th September
Study Visits
Venue: Various locations around Johannesburg​
Wednesday 17th September
SME Finance Forum Awards Ceremony
Industry Networking Event
Venue: Convention Centre
Monday 15th September
Close
Image
Forum Stage
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, 15th September - Tuesday, 16th September
Clock 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Marker The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Close
Image
Private-Public Roundtables
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, 15th September - Tuesday, 16th September
Clock 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Marker The Galleria, Johannesburg, South Africa
Close
Image
Deep-Dive Workshops
Calender Monday, 15th September - Tuesday, 16th September
Clock 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Close
Boardroom Discussions, Breakfast & Lunch Briefings
Calender Monday, 15th September - Tuesday, 16th September
Clock 7:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
SME Finance Forum Awards Ceremony
Calender Monday, 15th September
Clock 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Close
Industry Networking Event
Calender Monday, 15th September
Clock 9:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
SMEFF Community Meeting: Catalysing Impact

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, 17th September
Clock 8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Innovation Hubs

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, 17th September
Clock 9:40 AM - 11:10 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, 17th September
Clock 11:15 AM - 12:45 PM
Marker Convention Centre
Close
Image
Study Visits

The Forum's Study Visits offer an immersive experience designed to foster peer learning and expose participants to latest technology innovations and global best practices in SME banking and non-financial services. These visits provide exclusive access to local institutions that are driving impact and innovation, offering participants firsthand insights into successful strategies and practical solutions shaping the future of SME finance.

Calender Wednesday, 17th September
Clock 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Marker Various locations around Johannesburg​

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