
Forum Overview
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
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
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
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
2025 Forum Overview

VIP Dinner (Invitation Only)
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FutureMatters Stage
Insights Roundtables
Deep Dive Workshops
Boardroom Discussions, Breakfast & Lunch Briefings
Industry Networking Event
Members’ Meeting
Study Tours
Innovation Hubs
Members’ Workshops and Trainings
2024 Overview
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