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Sponsor

 

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

Ecobank Group

Ecobank Group – Driving Inclusive Growth Across Africa

Ecobank Group is the leading private pan-African banking group, present in 39 countries, including 35 in sub-Saharan Africa, an affiliate in France, and representative offices in the United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and China.

Since its creation in 1985, Ecobank has been on a mission to drive financial integration and economic development across the continent.

With a customer base exceeding 32 million and a workforce of over 14,000, Ecobank provides a powerful platform for payments, cash management, trade, and investment, uniquely enabling cross-border banking solutions that support SMEs at scale. The Group is listed on the Nigerian Exchange, Ghana Stock Exchange, and Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières.

At Ecobank, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are at the heart of our inclusive growth strategy. Through tailored financial and non-financial solutions, including access to finance, digital tools, market linkages, and capacity-building programs like Ellevate for women-led businesses, we empower entrepreneurs to build resilience and unlock growth across Africa.

We are proud to join the Global SME Finance Forum 2025, reaffirming our commitment to co-develop scalable, high-impact solutions for underserved businesses across emerging markets.

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