Event Highlights

G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion - Action Plan for MSME Financing

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Financial Inclusion

Jun 12, 2025

Advancing MSME Finance: Insights from the G20 Global Partnership Action Plan for MSME Financing Webinar The IFC and World Bank , in collaboration with the SME Finance Forum, and OECD, recently convened a virtual session to present the G20 Action Plan for MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) Financing . This note synthesizes key insights...

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Empowering SMEs with Simplified ESG reporting Fintech Solutions

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Fintech

May 28, 2025

During our latest Marketplace on May 21st , the fintech s who were invited highlighted the tools they provide SMEs to help them gather and report ESG data more efficiently. Those solutions range from ESG reporting software , to data integration and collection tools, and monitoring and tracking software. The Role of GB-TAP and IFC in Supporting...

Key Takeaways from Akbank Immersion Program

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Sustainable Finance

Apr 01, 2025

The two days program offers great insights into AKBANK’s remarkable efforts and achievements in digital design and innovation especially how the bank integrates digital technology including AI to deliver customer experiences. Serving almost one third of the SMEs market in Turkey, some of the key factors driving the bank’s significant growth in...

AI in SME Finance: Opportunities and Threats

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Fintech

Payments

Mar 27, 2025

AI technology plays a pivotal role in revolutionizing SME finance by offering many benefits and transforming traditional practices. It brings new opportunities for the financial and non-financial institutions by automating operational workflows, harnessing alternative data sources, and building new forecasting and credit models to serve previously...

Is the rise of alternative data making credit bureaus obsolete? Not quite…

Tianxiao Fang

Credit Risk & Scoring

Mar 13, 2025

As digitalization accelerates, the use of alternative data should be seen as a complement rather than a threat to the traditional global credit bureau industry. A new blog by IFC - International Finance Corporation ’s Collen Masunda - (FCCA, CDFA, RPAC, Fulbright Fellow) explains that leveraging alternative data can significantly enhance access to...

Insurance Opportunities to Support Small Business Growth

Geethanjali Jagannathan

SME Insurance

Mar 20, 2025

During our webinar on March 19th - organized in partnership with Berne Union - our guest speakers discussed the critical role of i nsurance for SMEs . Insurance acts as a shock absorber of adverse events, provides critical risk mitigation services, encourages saving, improves access to credit, and helps attract private capital to economies. They...

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Digital Lenders for Small Entrepreneurs

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Mar 13, 2025

During our latest Marketplace on March 12 th , the fintech invited highlighted how they serve small businesses in emerging markets to address the needs of underserved segments . Either through direct lending operations or partnering with financial institutions, Prestamype , Validus Q- lana , Vexi and Kaleidofin are strategically targeting small...

Scaling MSME Finance in Creative Industries

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Alternative Financing

Mar 04, 2025

During our webinar on February 26th , our guest speakers highlight ed the immense potential of creative industries in driving economic growth, creating employment, and fostering innovation. They underscore d the financing challenges faced by this sector despite its potential and the need for tailored financial products, de-risking mechanisms, and...

Round Table - Leading Innovations in SME Finance: A Leadership Perspective

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Feb 10, 2025

Key Takeaways from the Round Table on Leading Innovations in SME Finance On December 16th, 2024, industry leaders convened for a round table session to discuss the latest trends and innovations in SME finance. This high-level gathering brought together experts who shared their insights on various innovative approaches in SME finance. Below are the...

Increasing SME Access to Working Capital: E-invoicing and Digital Credit Infrastructure

Geethanjali Jagannathan

Digital Financial Services

Jan 29, 2025

Welcome to our latest blog post where we delve into the fascinating world of SME banking. The adoption of e-invoicing is increasing rapidly, driven by the digitization of business processes and, in some markets, by government mandates.  Digital invoice repositories, whether third-party platforms or government-operated systems, are forming part of...