Our events
CEO Virtual Roundtable - Financing Positive Change: A Leadership Outlook
17 June 2025
Time:
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EDT
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8 : 00
9 : 30
-04:00
Convert
-04:00
Virtual
Background:
SMEs are the backbone of economies worldwide and contribute significantly to job creation. Access to financial services is cited as the key barrier to most SMEs inhibiting their growth. Financial Institutions have a significant role to play, especially in the face of the $5.7 trillion MSME finance gap.
Objective:
As we have seen across multiple financial institutions, when the SME finance business is driven by the CEOs of the institutions, it gets the right focus, builds strong business momentum and delivers lasting market impact. Hence, we plan to bring together CEOs from members institutions of the SME Finance Forum to give a view from the top and hear how the SME agenda is being driven in their organization. CEOs will share how they leverage the latest trends and enablers towards market impact, creating livelihoods and ensuring SMEs succeed, create jobs and grow, while ensuring responsible and sustainable solutions are rendered to the market.
Discussion topics:
- Driving the SME agenda from within
- SME segmentation and impact on economic growth
- Leading financial services trends in SME Finance
Participants:
The roundtable will gather up to 10 CEOs or senior decision makers from member organizations of the Forum, representing banks, NBFI, credit guarantee company, DFIs and fintech.
We plan to run this first round table as a kickoff session. Another roundtable will be organized in 2025 during the Global SME Finance Forum in South Africa (September 15-17, 2025).
Format:
This is a 90-minute virtual peer roundtable during which every group member has an opportunity to present his experience to the full roundtable for immediate comment and feedback.
Expected Outcomes:
Actionable Insights: Practical strategies and recommendations for enhancing SME finance and for creating impact and jobs.
Partnerships: Strengthened collaborations between member organizations and a CEO coalition for future change.
Agenda:
Opening Remarks and introductions:
- Welcome and introduction to the event and its objectives.
- Introduction of speakers
Round 1 – Driving the SME agenda from within
- How SME banking strategic fit is important in institutional strategies?
- Which reporting and organizational fit have the most impact?
- How to ensure SME business remains important and is embedded in the value system?
Round 2 – SME segmentation and impact on economic growth
- Evidence of how SMEs create jobs and make an impact on economic growth.
- How to distinguish high growth SMEs and steer their growth?
Round 3 – Leading financial services trends in SME Finance
- How are the leading trends shaping SME finance?
- Digital Financial Services // Embedded Finance // Alternative date // Sustainable and inclusive finance // Supply chain Finance // Non-financial services // Enabling environment
Closing Remarks:
- Summary of key takeaways from the roundtable.
- Next steps and action items for attendees.
Organizers:
The SME Finance Forum, Managed by IFC
The SME Finance Forum works to expand access to finance for small and medium businesses by transfer of best practices through a global membership network that includes financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions.
This is a member and affiliate only event. If you have not received an invitation to join, register through the member portal.
