Our Events

12 Mar, 2025

ISTANBUL

Immersion Program - Akbank

Sustainable Finance

On 12 - 13 March 2025 , the SME Finance Forum is organizing an immersion program in Istanbul, Türkiye. The event is hosted by Akbank . Join our two-day Immersion program to discover how Akbank , a private commercial bank in Istanbul, is revolutionizing the banking industry. The two-day Immersion program will provide members gain exclusive access to AKBank’s expertise in investment banking, learning how the institution supports transformative projects and sustainable economic growth through innovative financing models. You’ll also dive into AKBank’s credit analytics and underwriting frameworks...

SME Finance Innovation Hubs

Webinars

Marketplace Sessions

Trainings

Annual Conferences

Immersion Programs

Leader Dialogue Series

Study Visits

12 Mar, 2025

ISTANBUL

Immersion Program - Akbank

Sustainable Finance

05 Feb, 2025

Webinar

SCALING MSME FINANCE IN CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

Creative Industries (CI) use culture and creativity as the main inputs to produce functional outputs with commercial value. They have a multidimensional development impact and directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. The global...

29 Jan, 2025

Virtual

Digital and Embedded Finance Innovation Hub - Solutions Clinic

Alternative Financing

This Innovation Hub is a supportive and innovative community of SME finance professionals dedicated to expanding access to finance for SMEs through digital transformation . The Hub focuses on : Managing the risk of disruptive technologies (...

22 Jan, 2025

Virtual

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Focus on Non-Financial Services Platforms

Non Financial Services

FINANCING

Fintech

The latest IBM Institute for Business Value’s report, “ Banking on SMEs ” shows that SMEs want a seamless experience on integrated ecosystem platforms offering banking and non-banking services. The 1000 SME owners surveyed seek banks with expertise...

17 Dec, 2024

Virtual

SME Agrifinance Innovation Hub from the SME Finance Forum

Agrifinance plays a very significant role in providing crucial access to capital for farmers and SME agribusinesses, allowing them to invest in necessary equipment, land, and seeds, enabling them to enhance their productivity, yields, and grow their...

16 Dec, 2024

Webinar

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

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

Join us in a discussion with leading SME Finance Forum members sharing innovations and future perspectives on SME Finance. All of the speakers are leading SME Businesses and hence would share learnings from their business management dimensions. The...

05 Dec, 2024

Webinar

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

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Accelerating SME Access to Finance through E-Invoicing and Credit Infrastructure Join us for an insightful webinar on how e-invoicing and credit infrastructure reforms are revolutionizing access to finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)...

04 Dec, 2024

Virtual

Non Financial Services Innovation Hub from the SME Finance Forum

While there are many challenges for SMEs, there are important steps SMEs can take to build resilience, including improvements in financial literacy to navigate uncertainty. Business decisions can be challenging for SMEs if they fail to identify key...

25 Nov, 2024

Webinar

Beyond the SME / Bank Disconnect: Key findings from New IBM Study

Digital Transformation

A recent research paper by the IBM Institute for Business Value, the SME Finance Forum, and the Banking Industry Architecture Network sheds light on the challenges facing SMEs in accessing adequate financial support. The Banking for Small and Medium...

20 Nov, 2024

Virtual

Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub - [Solutions Clinic]

Supply & Value Chain Finance

The Supply Chain Finance Innovation Hub develops a supportive and innovative community of SME finance professionals dedicated to expanding access to financing for SMEs through Supply Chain Financing solutions. The Community focuses on (i) supporting...

13 Nov, 2024

Webinar

Spotlight on Innovation: SME Finance Leaders 2024

TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION

Join us for an exclusive webinar, "Spotlight on Innovation: SME Finance Leaders 2024," where we recognize and celebrate the trailblazers in SME finance. This event will showcase the remarkable achievements of some of our platinum winners who have...

16 Sep, 2024

Sao Paulo - Grand Hyatt Hotel

Global SME Finance Forum 2024

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Sustainable Finance

Digital Transformation

REGISTER The Global SME Finance Forum 2024 The central theme of the 2024 conference is how the disruptive emergence of AI tools and technologies will shape and accelerate the twin digital-sustainable transitions toward scaling SME Finance. Since the...

16 Sep, 2024

Webinar

Members Meeting Global SME Finance Forum 2024

Financial Inclusion

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Data Analytics

Members Meeting This session is to update members and partners on the strategic direction and the progress being made in SMEFF transformation, share the member's survey results in terms of feedback and areas of focus, recognize members who have...

24 Jul, 2024

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Focus on Supply Chain Finance

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Each month we are running sessions featuring leading small business lenders and SME growth facilitators who present their MSMEs offerings in a 7-minute pitch to an audience of potential financial institution clients and partners looking for...

23 Jul, 2024

Webinar

The World of Tokenization: Transformative Potential for SMEs

Digital Transformation

Joint Event: SME Finance Forum and IDB Lab Tokenization is revolutionizing finance by transforming asset transactions through digital tokens on a blockchain, enhancing security, transparency, and efficiency. This session will introduce financial...

03 Jul, 2024

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - Special focus on Digital Banks

Digital Transformation

Each month we are running pitch sessions featuring leading small business lenders and SME growth facilitators who present their MSMEs offerings in a 7-minute pitch to an audience of potential financial institution clients and partners looking for...

13 Jun, 2024

Webinar

Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs Award Info Session

Gender Finance

Global SME Finance Awards 2024 Information Session - Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs Award Be recognized, Share impact in SME FINANCE The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards (The Awards) as a core part of its mission to...

12 Jun, 2024

ONLINE

Agrifinance Innovation Hub - [Solutions Clinic]

Rural & Agriculture Finance

The SME Agrifinance Innovation Hub will be holding its first Solutions Clinic at 8.00am EST on Wednesday June 12. Our solutions clinics are member-only interactive, roundtable-style events, in which we crowd-in expertise from across the SMEFF...

05 Jun, 2024

Webinar

SME Financier of the Year Award Information session

Financial Education

Financial Inclusion

Alternative Financing

Global SME Finance Awards 2024 Information Session - SME Financier of the Year Be recognized, Share impact in SME FINANCE The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards (The Awards) as a core part of its mission to create a unique...

29 May, 2024

ONLINE

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - AgTechs and Agroclimatic Assessment Tools

Rural & Agriculture Finance

Fintech

22 May, 2024

Webinar

Sustainable Bond of the Year Award Info Session

Sustainable Finance

Global SME Finance Awards 2024 Information Session - Sustainable Bond of the Year Be recognized, Share impact in SME FINANCE Wednesday May 22nd, 2024 @ 8:00am – 9:00am EDT The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards (The Awards) as...

08 May, 2024

Webinar

Info Session Product Innovation of the Year Global SME Finance Awards 2024

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Data Analytics

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

Fintech

Payments

Global SME Finance Awards 2024 Information Session - Product Innovation of the Year Be recognized, Share impact in SME FINANCE Wednesday May 8, 2024 @ 8:00am – 9:00am EDT The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards (The Awards) as...

24 Apr, 2024

Webinar

Inaugural Information Session Global SME Finance Awards 2024

Financial Education

Financial Inclusion

Equity

Gender Finance

Guarantees

Islamic Banking

Rural & Agriculture Finance

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Sustainable Finance

Trade Finance

Youth Entrepreneurship

Governance

Policy & Regulation

Data & Cybersecurity

SME Insurance

Data Analytics

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

Fintech

Payments

BE RECOGNIZED, SHARE IMPACT IN SME FINANCE The SME Finance Forum organizes the Global SME Finance Awards ( The Awards ) as a core part of its mission to create a unique platform for peer connections, knowledge dissemination, and innovations in SME...

17 Apr, 2024

VIRTUAL

Sustainable SME Innovation Hub - [Solutions Clinic]

Sustainable Finance

The transition from Communities of Practice to Innovation Hubs marks a shift from sharing best practices to actively fostering their adoption. Key highlights include: Evolution to Innovation Hubs: Moving beyond best practice sharing towards...

27 Mar, 2024

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - March Pitch Session

Fintech

The SME Finance Virtual Marketplace , an initiative of SME Finance Forum, powered by IFC, is an online match-making platform that fosters collaboration between financial institutions, fintech companies, development finance institutions and investors...

28 Feb, 2024

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - February Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

The Virtual SME Finance Marketplace , an initiative of SME Finance Forum, and a product of IFC, is an online match-making platform that promotes partnership and collaboration between financial institutions, fintech companies and development finance...

21 Feb, 2024

Johannesburg

Immersion Program - First National Bank, FNB

Financial Education

Alternative Financing

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Data Analytics

It was a pleasure seeing and meeting some of you end of February in Johannesburg during the First National Bank’s exclusive Immersion Program. The two-day visit gave participants insights into the South Africa SME landscape and the innovative...

14 Feb, 2024

Webinar

Unlocking Growth: The WE Finance Code Empowers Women-led SMEs

Financial Inclusion

Gender Finance

Joint Event between SME Finance Forum, Women’s World Banking and the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative. In October 2023, the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) launched the WE Finance Code (or simply, the Code), a global framework...

08 Feb, 2024

Capacitación: Finanzas Sostenibles para las MIPYMEs: De la Teoría a la Práctica y la Rentabilidad

Financial Education

Sustainable Finance

Como instituciones financieras de mercados emergentes pueden usar la Guía de Referencia de Finanzas Sostenibles para MIPYMEs Descripción Las necesidades de financiamiento de las micro, pequeñas y medianas empresas (MIPYMEs) suelen ser de montos...

07 Feb, 2024

WEBINAR

AI in SME Finance: Opportunities and Threats

Data Analytics

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

Fintech

Payments

Artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) have been at the top of the strategic agenda for bank leaders for several years because they are reshaping the way we analyze data, integrate information, and make decisions. According to McKinsey...

06 Feb, 2024

Webinar

Training: Sustainable MSME finance into practice and profit

Financial Education

Sustainable Finance

How to use the Sustainable MSME Finance Reference Guide for emerging market financial institutions. Description MSMEs financing needs are usually of small amounts and for operational expenditures, different than the large capital expenditure...

31 Jan, 2024

ONLINE

Trainings

Our trainings aim to enhance the expertise and professionalism of finance providers, enabling them to better understand and meet the financing needs of SMEs, contribute to their growth, and support economic development. They focus on digital...

29 Nov, 2023

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - November Session

Fintech

01 Nov, 2023

WEBINAR

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - November Session

Fintech

25 Oct, 2023

Leader Dialogue Series, Interview with PVSLN, Murty, Chairman and Managing Director, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi)

Financial Inclusion

Non Financial Services

Learn from  PVSLN, Murty, Chairman and Managing Director, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation (NEDFi) , about their mission to champion the entrepreneurial spirit of the North Eastern Region of India, financing commercially viable...

25 Oct, 2023

Leader Dialogue Series - Interview with Sandy Kemper, Founder and Chairman, C2FO

Digital Financial Services

Fintech

Learn from Sandy Kemper, Founder and Chairman of C2FO , about their on-demand working capital platform as he is answering questions from Hans Koning , Global Chief Industry Specialist, Digital Finance at IFC. 'The IFC has the goal of getting to a...

25 Oct, 2023

Webinar

WEBINAR Sustainability in Supply Chain Finance: Need, Challenges and Opportunities

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Sustainable Finance

Supply chain finance (SCF) is important for SMEs for several reasons, such as improving cash flow, expanding access to capital, and strengthening supplier relationships. Key stakeholders, including large companies, financial institutions, and...

04 Oct, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - October Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

12 Sep, 2023

Webinar

2023 SME Finance Forum in-person Members’ Meeting

MEETING MINUTES and VIDEO RECORDING are available below. Please sign in the Member Portal to get access. -------------------------- The second 2023 Members Meeting of the SME Finance Forum will take place in person in Mumbai, during the Global SME...

20 Jul, 2023

Webinar

Fireside Chat with Gina Taylor Cotter, EVP & GM - Global Commercial Services at American Express

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum, will host Gina Taylor Cotter, EVP & GM - Global Commercial Services from our member American Express, for a fireside chat to discuss how AmEx is using the latest technology to serve its SME clients...

19 Jul, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - July Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

28 Jun, 2023

Webinar

Partnering SMEs in responding to Climate Change

Sustainable Finance

Climate change is leading to profound changes in the way businesses operate. For small and medium enterprises (SMEs), these changes will accelerate as stakeholders, regulators and competitors respond to the global challenges of climate change...

21 Jun, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - June Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

05 Jun, 2023

Webinar

Climate Disclosure Training: TCFD for the Financial Sector

In order to provide financial institutions, issuers and preparers of financial filings with high-quality training on climate disclosure and provide an overview of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations, the...

31 May, 2023

Webinar

WEBINAR Digitalizing SME Lending: Increasing Financial Inclusion Using Alternative Data and Innovative Lending Models

Financial Education

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

According to The Voice of the SME , 66% of SMEs want to receive faster access to credit when needed—often within a week or less. In recent years, lenders have responded to this demand, with many now offering instant credit decisions and same-day...

17 May, 2023

Webinar

Webinar: Leveraging Data to Create Value Propositions for SME Clients

Policy & Regulation

Data Analytics

Understanding the needs of target customers and developing products and services to meet these needs is a key capability for leading financial institutions. This webinar will examine the value of leveraging data on both existing and potential SME...

10 May, 2023

AgriFinance Community of Practice - AgTech platforms

Rural & Agriculture Finance

The SME Finance Forum has created a Community of Practice on Agrifinance , a group of AgriFinance experts and practitioners from member and non-member institutions, to discuss experiences and document good practices and innovations in the field. One...

05 May, 2023

Webinar

SME Finance Awards Information Session - CHINESE Applicants

Financial Inclusion

For the SME Financier of the Year category, we are hosting an information session for our Chinese applicants. Contestants can ask questions about the application process and judging criteria. THiS SESSION will be conducted in MANDARIN by Lechi Zhang...

03 May, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - May Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

The “SME Finance Virtual Marketplace” is an online match-making platform that promotes partnership and collaboration between members of the SME Finance Forum, especially financial institutions, fintech companies and development finance institutions...

28 Apr, 2023

Webinar

SME Finance Awards Information Session - MENA / Asia Regions

Financial Inclusion

For the SME Financier of the Year category, we hosted two information sessions where applicants and potential applicants could ask questions about the application process and judging criteria. Re-live the session now to listen to the advice on how...

28 Apr, 2023

Webinar

SME Finance Awards Information Session - LAC / Africa / Europe Regions

Financial Inclusion

For the SME Financier of the Year category, one of the jurors for this year's awards, hosted two information sessions where applicants and potential applicants asked questions about the application process and judging criteria. Listen to the...

20 Apr, 2023

Webinar

Future of Digital Banking Conference

Alternative Financing

Digital Financial Services

ASIA / Singapore Time HYBRID EVENT The link to register as well as the agenda are visible to Members of the SME Finance Forum who are logged in to the Member Portal . Rapid digital innovation is ushering in a new era of changes to financial services...

19 Apr, 2023

Webinar

WEBINAR: Data and AI driving diversity in SME Lending

Financial Inclusion

Non Financial Services

Alternative Financing

Gender Finance

Youth Entrepreneurship

Relive the event here This webinar is organized in partnership with our member Uplinq Considerable cultural, economic, and regulatory differences exist around the world that affect accessibility to capital and in particular the opportunity for women...

12 Apr, 2023

Development Finance Institutions Community of Practice - Impact Measurement

Financial Education

Non Financial Services

Guarantees

Sustainable Finance

Policy & Regulation

The second meeting exclusively for the DFIs in our member community. Two members will be presenting on the subject of impact measurement in SME Finance, followed by a roundtable discussion among our DFI members on how to better coordinate...

05 Apr, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - April Session

Fintech

29 Mar, 2023

Women Entrepreneurs Finance Community of Practice - Gender Intelligent Design in Financial Services

Financial Inclusion

Gender Finance

The presentations shown during the meeting as well as the minutes are visible to Members of the SME Finance Forum who are logged in to the Member Portal . Background The objective of the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Community of Practice ( CoP ) is...

22 Mar, 2023

Singapore

Immersion Program 2023: DBS and Tyme, Singapore

Digital Financial Services

Digital Transformation

The Forum hosted an immersion program to DBS and Tyme on March 22 & 23 in Singapore. The presentations shown during the immersion program are visible to Members of the SME Finance Forum who are logged in to the Member Portal . DBS is a leading...

15 Mar, 2023

Webinar

Webinar: Bringing More MSMEs into Credit - Embedded Finance in Emerging Markets

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Embedded finance reached $20 billion in revenues in the United States alone in 2021, according to McKinsey. This market could double in size within the next three to five years. Embedded finance is the placing of a financial product in a...

15 Mar, 2023

Apply to the SME Finance Awards 2023!

Financial Inclusion

Gender Finance

Sustainable Finance

Digital Financial Services

The Global SME Finance Awards 2023 recognize financial institutions and fintech companies for their outstanding achievements in delivering exceptional products and services to their SME clients. Endorsed by the GPFI, the Global SME Finance Awards...

01 Mar, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2023 March Session - LEADING DFIs

Fintech

15 Feb, 2023

The SME Green Finance Community of Practice

Alternative Financing

Gender Finance

Rural & Agriculture Finance

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Sustainable Finance

Trade Finance

In response to strong interests from members, the SME Finance Forum has launched the SME Green Finance Community of Practice (SMEGreenCoP) to allow experts and practitioners from member institutions to share knowledge and good practices in their...

08 Feb, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2023 February Monthly Session

Fintech

11 Jan, 2023

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2023 January Monthly Session

Fintech

07 Dec, 2022

ONLINE

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 December Monthly Session

01 Dec, 2022

Webinar

Governing Council Meeting

Governance

The Governing Council of the Forum is the Forum’s highest governing body and comprises of 16 members. More information about each of the Council members can be found HERE . The Forum would like to congratulate all the members on their appointment to...

30 Nov, 2022

Online

Women’s Entrepreneurship Finance Community of Practice (CoP)

Non Financial Services

Registration is open on the Member's portal BUILDING RESILIENT W-MSME PORTFOLIO’s – Client Acquisition and Growth Strategies Background The objective of the Women Entrepreneurs Financing Community of Practice (CoP) is to effectively share knowledge...

23 Nov, 2022

Webinar

Webinar: Bank-Fintech Partnerships to Bridge the SME Finance Gap

Data Analytics

Bank-Fintech Partnerships to Bridge the SME Finance Gap The latest technological developments, such as AI, DLT, cloud, quantum computing, and IOT hold great potential to close the SME finance gap. These technologies could reduce information...

16 Nov, 2022

Online

Keyboard with a big key in orange with the words Risk Management

Risk Management Community of Practice (CoP) - ESG Risk Monitoring using AI

Operational Risk

The Risk Management Community of Practice (CoP) is a Member-Only event and it aims to bring together professionals and risk management experts from member institutions of the SME Finance Forum to share their learning, experiences, and good practices...

09 Nov, 2022

ONLINE

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 November Monthly Session

05 Oct, 2022

ONLINE

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 October Monthly Session

03 Aug, 2022

Online

Handshake with sign SME Finance Marketplace August session with Members on August 3rd, 2022

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 August Monthly Session

Supply & Value Chain Finance

25 Jul, 2022

Webinar

APEC Webinar on Strategies and Initiatives on Digital Financial Inclusion 25-27 July 2022 hosted by BSP

We invite members of the SME Finance Forum to attend Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Webinar on Strategies and Initiatives on Digital Financial Inclusion: Lessons from Experiences of APEC Economies, hosted by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (...

21 Jul, 2022

Webinar

Gender busines Paying In Kitchen Shop Using Credit Card

Open Workshop: Addressing Gender Data Gaps for SME Finance

Financial Inclusion

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Background This Workshop will highlight models to take GPFI recommendations on sex-disaggregated data into action. It will review the example of the UK’s Investing in Women Code, the experience of governments and financial intermediaries to collect...

06 Jul, 2022

Online

Handshake with sign SME Finance Marketplace July session with Members on July 6th, 2022

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 July Monthly Session

Supply & Value Chain Finance

29 Jun, 2022

Algorithmic bias in Women-MSMEs Credit Scoring: Insights & Solutions Community of Practice (CoP)

Financial Inclusion

Registration is open for members on the Member's portal Introduction The SME Finance Forum’s MSME Finance GAP estimates a $1.53 trillion finance gap for Women-MSMEs (W-MSMEs). Historically, women have been victims of conscious and unconscious bias...

22 Jun, 2022

Webinar

Open Webinar: SME Lending & Social Impact in India

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Session Description and objectives Small businesses in India employ over 100 million people or 40% of India’s workforce and account for 29% of India’s GDP and 49% of its exports. The SME Finance gap in India is $221 billion or 10% of its GDP...

14 Jun, 2022

Online

Virtual Roundtable: Leveraging Private Sector Investment to Promote MSME

Sustainable Finance

For more information and to request the password to watch the recording, please contact us at smefinanceforum@ifc.org Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs ) play a paramount part in the wider scope of businesses. New business ventures and...

12 Jun, 2022

Webinar

Virtual Workshop: Digitalizing Supply Chain Finance

Supply & Value Chain Finance

Virtual Workshop: Transition Digitalizing Supply chain finance The value of global supply-chain finance (SCF) market remains significantly untapped. According to a recent Mckinsey report, nearly 80 percent of eligible assets do not benefit from...

08 Jun, 2022

Online

Risk Management Community of Practice (CoP) - Alternative Data on New Customers

Data & Cybersecurity

Data is the new oil. Since the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digitization and increased the degree of information asymmetry between lenders and borrowers, reliable and timely data became oxygen for financial institutions. Data fuels models for...

01 Jun, 2022

Webinar

Handshake with sign SME Finance Marketplace June session with Members on June 1st, 2022

SME Finance Virtual Marketplace - 2022 June Monthly Session

Digital Transformation

Fintech

Events calendar

SMEFF - Member only SMEFF – Open Industry Event: Speaking Role Other Industry Event CO-hosted Event