Newsletter
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Market Watch - January 2024
Jan 08, 2024SME Finance News and Events: Your Monthly Round-up
January 2024 Edition
Submit newsworthy links and let us know how we can improve the SME Market Watch to better meet your needs. SME Finance Forum <smefinanceforum@ifc.org>
SME Finance Headlines - Editor's Pick
AFRICA
- IFC Invests in Oásis Atlântico Hotel Group to Support Tourism, Jobs in Cabo Verde” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27967 (Dec 28. 2023).
- IFC Welcomes Mindray Medical Equipment to the Africa Medical Equipment Facility” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27953 (Dec 21, 2023).
- IFC And Proparco Join Forces to Strengthen Food Supplies in Several African Countries” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27939 (Dec 14, 2023).
- IFC Partners with Al Baraka Bank Egypt to Support Small and Medium Enterprises in Egypt” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27901 (Dec 4th. 2023).
- Zimbabwe: African Development Bank approves $25 million trade finance line of credit for Central Africa Building Society https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/zimbabwe-african-development-bank-approves-25-million-trade-finance-line-credit-central-africa-building-society-67350 (Dec 19th, 2023).
- Lenders need to be smart in their underwriting processes’ for African SMEs. https://www.thebanker.com/Lenders-need-to-be-smart-in-their-underwriting-processes-for-African-SMEs-1702542672 (Dec 14, 2013).
EUROPE
- IFC and the European Union Partner with Credit Agricole to Empower Ukrainian Smaller Businesses” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27954 (Dec 20, 2023).
- IFC Invests $530 Million to Support Smaller Businesses, Bolster Recovery in Türkiye’s Earthquake-Hit Region” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27941 (Dec 15, 2023).
- Strong Private Sector Key to Drive Romania’s Economic Growth, Says New IFC-World Bank Report” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27911 (Dec 7th, 2023).
- IDB and Germany Launch New Facility to Support Climate Action in Public Development Banks in Latin America and the Caribbean https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-and-germany-launch-new-facility-support-climate-action-public-development-banks-latin (Dec 18, 2023).
ASIA
- National Bank of Cambodia Partners with IFC to Boost Green Finance, Support Climate Action” https://pressroom.ifc.org/All/Pages/PressDetail.aspx?ID=27944 (Dec 19th, 2023).
- How Can Regulators Enable Last-Mile Agent Networks? https://www.cgap.org/blog/how-can-regulators-enable-last-mile-agent-networks (December 7th 2023).
- Cash vs. Digital? Unleashing the Power of DFS through Agent https://www.cgap.org/blog/cash-vs-digital-unleashing-power-of-dfs-through-agent-networks-0 (Dec 5th, 2023).
- Revolutionizing SME operations in the region with cutting-edge AI solutions. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/revolutionizing-sme-operations-in-the-region-with-cutting-edge-ai-solutions-qmod2s5a (Jan 8th 2024).
- Saudi Arabia is the top country in MENA for venture capital investment in 2023. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/saudi-arabia-is-the-top-country-in-mena-for-venture-capital-investment-in-2023-kzr8pjni (Jan 8th, 2024).
- Dubai SME joins forces with CXDA to enhance SME growth https://www.zawya.com/en/business/technology-and-telecom/dubai-sme-joins-forces-with-cxda-to-enhance-sme-growth-ckeygpq3 (Jan 8th, 2024).
- Does Supply Chain Finance (SCF) alleviate funding constraints of SMEs? Evidence from China https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0275531923002830 (Jan 2024)
- China's economic and industry outlook for 2024" Dec 29 2023. https://www2.deloitte.com/cn/en/pages/about-deloitte/articles/deloitte-research-issue-87.html
MENA
- Pioneering UAE agri-trade fintech - Maalexi - raises $3mln in pre-Series A round Jan 8th 2024. https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/pioneering-uae-agri-trade-fintech-maalexi-raises-3mln-in-pre-series-a-round-xchuwnzn
AMERICA
- IADB Approves US$2 Million Grant to Accelerate the Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices by Businesses in the Caribbean https://www.iadb.org/en/news/idb-group-aims-triple-climate-financing-over-next-decade (Dec 19, 2023).
- Measuring SoFi's Meteoric Rise As It Revolutionizes Finance https://www.forbes.com/sites/gurufocus/2024/01/05/measuring-sofis-meteoric-rise-as-it-revolutionizes-finance/?sh=40ebc4b6cbaa (Jan 5th, 2024).
- Colombia enters a new instant payments era https://www.thebanker.com/Colombia-enters-a-new-instant-payments-era-170...(Dec 22, 2023).
GLOBAL
- Is FinTech Eating the Bank's Lunch? https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2023/11/18/Is-FinTech-Eating-the-Bank-s-Lunch-540817. (Nov 2023).
- Deep Impact: The Emergence Of AI-Driven Processes In Finance https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2024/01/04/deep-impact-the-emergence-of-ai-driven-processes-in-finance/?sh=1de194683100 (Jan 4th, 2024)
- The Significance Of Hybrid Cloud Security For Every SME https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2023/12/19/the-significance-of-hybrid-cloud-security-for-every-sme/?sh=7c03b175565c (Dec 19th, 2023)
- FinTech and SMEs financing: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666954423000157 (Dec 202)
- Strategic Intelligence Outlook: climate litigation, economic strains and more in store for 2024 https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/12/strategic-intelligence-outlook-climate-economy-forecast-2024/ (Dec 7th, 2023).
- Report: "Global Risks Report 2024" - https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Global_Risks_Report_2023.pdf
Submit newsworthy links and let us know how we can improve the SME Market Watch to better meet your needs. SME Finance Forum <smefinanceforum@ifc.org>
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Market Watch - December 2023
Dec 01, 2023SME Finance News and Events: Your Monthly Round-up
December 2023 Edition
Submit newsworthy links and let us know how we can improve the SME Market Watch to better meet your needs. SME Finance Forum <smefinanceforum@ifc.org>
Editor's Pick
Must Read Reports
Innovations in Financial Services for MSME
SME Finance Forum
Handbook for Scaling Irrigation Systems
IFC
Building Green: Sustainable Construction in Emerging Markets
IFC
OECD: Financing SMEs for sustainability - Drivers, Constraints and Policies
OECD
World Economic Forum
UNDP
Finding value in generative AI for financial services
Technology Review
The Sustainability Assessment and Improvement Tool for Midsize Growth Companies
IFC
Regional Highlights
Business Case Update #6 Lower Nonperforming Loans (NPLs) for Women-Owned SMEs: The data shows why financial institutions should pay greater attention to women’s SME and retail segments. Women-owned SME (W-SME) loan portfolios consistently exhibit lower NPLs than total SME portfolios. In a surveyed sample of 140 IFC client financial institutions (FIs) in 2022, the average NPL ratio for loan portfolios of WSMEs was 3.6%, significantly lower than the average NPL ratio for total SME loan portfolios (4.7%), comprising men- and women-owned SMEs.
Boosting support to SMEs and women-led businesses in Paraguay: The investment of US$112.5 million in Banco Continental SAECA includes a senior “A” loan of US$50 million, a “B” loan of US$25 million, and a trust loan under IFC’s Managed Co-Lending Portfolio Program (MCPP) of US$37.5 million.
Upcoming Events
COP28 Event: Bridging the Climate Finance Gap: Leveraging Carbon Markets to Mobilize Private Capital
World Bank
05 Dec, 2023
COP28 Event: Unlocking the Potential of Railways through Climate Finance
World Bank
06 Dec, 2023
Defining Pathways for Nature Finance
World Bank
09 Dec, 2023
Training - Sustainable MSME finance into practice and profit
SME Finance Forum
06 Feb, 2024
Immersion Program - First National Bank, FNB
21-22 Feb, 2024
SME Finance Headlines
Global
OECD - Recommendation of the Council on SME Financing
SME Finance Forum
Black Friday causes heightened anxiety for almost 70% of small business owners
Business Matters
UK Export Finance unveils extra support for SME exporters
Gov.uk
Asia Pacific
SDFC, the Maldives’ first financial institution focused on MSMEs, joins the SME Finance Forum
SME Finance Forum
India to lead global effort to tap MSME potential: Sitharaman
Financial Express
SME Finance Forum member Uplinq
IFC Press
IFC Press
Enterprise Financing: Government industrial funds expand SME financing channels in China
News.cgtn
How Singapore got so good at SME banking
Asia Money
[Registration Required]
NBC disseminates financial awareness in Kampong Thom and SR
Khmer Times
Wing Bank to offer Agri-SME loans, quicken sector growth
Phnom Penh Post
Sewing success: Bangladesh renews global ties to fuel next wave of apparel growth
Apparel Resources
Sri Lanka to get more ADB, WB budget support loans after IMF review
Economy Next
HBL, Visa to support women SMEs
The News
Yahoo Finance
Empowering Malaysian SMEs through Special OGSE Financing
The Edge Malaysia
SMEs close down operations amid mounting debts
The Nation
Transforming MSME lending in India by leveraging advancements in credit decision support technology and contextual data
SME Finance Forum
Middle East and North Africa
IFC Invests in CRDB Bank’s First Green Bond to Finance Climate-friendly Development in Tanzania
IFC Press
Middle East turns to sustainability supply-chain financing
Euro Money
Dubai launches US$ 136 million venture capital fund designed to finance technology startups
Yahoo Finance
Abu Dhabi launches SME Finance Facilitator program to propel sector
Arab News
Mideast conflict could force gaze of financial institutions away from global economic challenges
Arab News
Why has Kuwait’s startup ecosystem fallen behind?
Wamda
Germany Commits to Funding Sustainable Energy Initiatives Across Africa
Tech in Africa
Shaping a prosperous intra-Africa trade landscape
African Business
Ecobank and African Guarantee Fund Sign Transformative USD 200 Million Risk-Sharing Agreement
Zawya
Continued growth of Africa’s FinTechs can unlock greater economic prosperity
Tech Trends KE
Jordan’s credit rating remains steady amid regional challenges
Arab News
New EBRD programme supports youth entrepreneurship in Morocco
EBRD
Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean
IFC Partners with Raiffeisen Bank to Boost Sustainable Growth in Romania
IFC Press
IFC Press
IFC Invests in Banco Continental to Increase Lending to SMEs and Women-led SMEs in Paraguay
IFC Press
Afreximbank to raise facility to CARICOM states to $3bn
Business Day
EBRD and Ardshinbank provide fresh funds for Armenian firms, partially supported by the EU
EBRD
APEC Bolsters Efforts for Green Transition, Local Business Support
Mirage News
EBRD and Swiss government support women-led businesses in the Kyrgyz Republic
EBRD
New green finance for SMEs and underserved individuals in North Macedonia
EBRD
Visa pledges $100 million to enhance support for underserved and women-led micro, small businesses
Financial Express
EBRD and Sweden back women-led SMEs in and outside of Ukraine
EBRD
Saudi development fund commits $90m for infrastructure development in Caribbean states
Arab News
EBRD expands cooperation with HSBC in Armenia
EBRD
Caribbean Export and Business France join forces to catalyze private sector growth in the Caribbean
EU Reporter
EBRD and EU support Serbian SME’s green transition
EBRD
EBRD loan to Banka për Biznes boosts MSMEs in Kosovo
EBRD
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September 2015
Sep 01, 2015For the past 18 years, he has built considerable experience in the Kenyan and regional banking industry as part of the senior management team of CBA, the largest locally owned commercial bank in the region, as well as over 8 years at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Ltd (SCBK), one of the leading international banks operating in the region. He was General Manager and Executive Director of CBA prior to being appointed Managing Director in December 1998 and Group Managing Director in September 2012. He was the Chief Financial Officer and director of the SCBK’s operations in Kenya and East Africa until September 1995.He graduated from Nairobi University in 1980 with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting and Finance.
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July 2015
Jul 22, 2015- Global SME Finance Forum 2015
- Webinar 8/27: Linking Financial & Non-Financial Services for Women Entrepreneurs
- How do Creditor Rights Affect Debt Finance: Secured Financing in Commercial Transactions
- Impacting Women's Lives through Digital Payments
- The Economic Impact of EU Guarantees on Credit to SMEs: Evidence from CESEE Countries
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June 2015
Jun 10, 2015- Innovative Solutions for Financing Entrepreneurship: Outcomes of the G20 Global Partnership on Financial Inclusion Workshop
- 1st Latin American and Caribbean Forum for Innovation in SME Finance
- Business Access to Global Value Chains and Financing SMEs
- G20 SME Finance Compact
- The Future of Financial Services: How Disruptive Innovations are Reshaping the way Financial Services are Structured, Provisioned and Consumed
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May 2015
May 13, 2015- Credit Data Gaps Exist, But They Can be Filled
- Webinar: Help your SME Customers Make and Receive Payments - MasterCard
- SME Finance Forum-CapitalPlus Exchange Partnership
- ABAC Malaysia and SME Finance Forum Convene Workshop on Innovative Financing for SMMEs
- Webinar: Demystifying the Bitcoin Blockchain - Material Available
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March-April 2015
Mar 01, 2015 -
February 2015
Feb 02, 2015 -
January 2015
Jan 01, 2015