Sponsor

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.

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.

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

The WBG SFKC is a platform for global knowledge and capacity building on sustainable finance for Africa. The Center is managed by the alliance partnership: IFC Green Bond Technical Assistance Program, World Bank Compact with Africa Green Business Fund, IFC Green Banking Academy Africa, West African Development Bank, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, Financial Markets Authority of the West African Monetary Union, SME Finance Forum, and the International Capital Market Association (ICMA).Through tailored learning resources, technical training, and strategic networking opportunities, the Center equips professionals across all sectors with the tools to manage sustainability risks and unlock climate-smart growth.

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

2024 Theme

G20 MSME Action Plan: Financing and Policy Enablers

Digital Innovation: Powering SME Growth and Global Competitiveness

Empowering SMEs in Sustainability, Resilience and Growth