Global SME Finance Forum | GFTN

Global SME Finance Forum

GFTN is honoured to be a Strategic Partner for the Global SME Finance Forum, the SME Finance Forum’s annual flagship event.

It convenes global & regional banks, fintechs, big-techs, e-commerce players, multilaterals, development finance institutions, credit guarantee corporations, banking associations, SME associations, microfinance institutions, non-bank financial institutions, central banks, academia, training providers, think tanks, investors, trade platforms, ministries, G20 counterparts to catalyze and scale SME finance.

It will feature a series of thought-provoking speakers and interactive panels that will explore the digital and sustainable transitions taking place in the SME finance sector.

About the Forum

The Global SME Finance Forum is hosted by the SME Finance Forum, a network of over 300 leading banks, non-banking financial institutions, fintechs and development banks, created by the G20 in 2012 and managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group.

The Forum’s objective is to scale SME finance for job creation and economic growth. As the leading SME finance network globally, the Global SME Finance Forum steers industry innovations, support replication of best practices, steer policy advocacy, and foster global knowledge transfer. The organisers also power the Forum's global peer learning membership network by connecting them with relevant partners, investors and policymakers. The 2025 event took place in South Africa as an official side event of the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion Working Group.

GFTN Home - Platforms (2)

Forum Stage

The Forum Stage hosted leadership dialogues on strengthening SME resilience in turbulent economic times. It engaged G20 leaders, policymakers, and financial innovators as they discuss macroeconomic headwinds, trade disruptions, and financing gaps affecting small businesses globally. Sessions explored policy frameworks that enhance financial inclusion, regulatory approaches supporting innovation, and technological solutions bridging the SME financing gap.

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Private-Public Roundtables

The Forum's deep dive roundtables offered an exclusive opportunity to engage in focused, small-group discussions on the most pressing issues in SME Finance. Held under Chatham House rules, these roundtables encouraged open and candid dialogue, enabling participants to share insights, explore challenges, and collaborate on actionable solutions. Designed for meaningful interaction, they brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to tackle complex topics and emerging trends in an intimate and confidential setting.

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Learning Day

A dynamic finale to the Forum offered hands-on opportunities to connect, learn, and collaborate. Highlights included the SMEFF Community Meeting on member-driven impact and priorities, the Innovation Hub tackling key themes like sustainable finance and women’s entrepreneurship, expert-led trainings with practical tools and insights, and immersive study visits to leading institutions showcasing real-world innovations in SME finance.

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Ravi Menon

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN); Ambassador (Climate Action), Singapore & Former Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore

See what others have said about the forum

"The SME Finance Forum’s annual conference meets a critical need in the SME financing world: the need to bring together top decision-makers in a truly thoughtful way, where the International Finance Corporation’s deep knowledge of players can be leveraged to help participants zero in on the partners who can best meet their needs. In most conferences, the search for the right partner is a “needle in a haystack” exercise. Not so at the Finance Forum, and therein lies the magic. "

Jane Prokop

Executive Vice President, Small and Medium Enterprises, Mastercard

Jane Prokop

rajeev chalisgaonkar (1)

"I’ve been blown away by the quality of speakers, the seniority, and the level of thinking.
It’s very clear that if you’re interested in SME Finance, if you’re interested in being part of this global opportunity to change things for small business, this is the place to be."

Rajeev Chalisgaonkar
EVP, Head of Business Banking & Neobiz

SAndy Kemper (1)

"This is my sixth or seventh Annual Meeting I have attended, and I can see the change. Five years back, some of the same people were talking about ideas they were trying out. Now they are talking about successful, profitable business they are running based on those ideas. It is quite gratifying to see that shift happening.'

Sandy Kemper
Founder & CEO, C2FO, USA

Almutasem Alkhateeb (1)

"Beyond expectation! I had the privilege to attend the Global SME Finance Forum today in Mumbai, India. It was enriching and epic in a meaningful way – we jumped from one session to another with an enthusiastic mindset toward the next discussion session without feeling overwhelmed."

Almutasem Alkhateeb
Business Development Manager, Kafalah, Saudi Arabia