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Washington D.C, July 8, 2025 - Business Partners Limited, one of Africa’s leading risk finance companies for  small and medium enterprise (SMEs), has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. Since establishment in South Africa in 1981, Business Partners Limited has been unlocking SME value and is Africa’s SME Bank of the Year Awards Winner*. The 300+ members/affiliates of the Forum are SME financing experts operating in 190 countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.

"SME Finance Forum is delighted to welcome Business Partners Limited, South Africa's leading risk financier for small and medium-sized businesses. Business Partners Limited's extensive experience and innovative approach to providing customized finance solutions to SMEs will undoubtedly enrich our community," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.

For over 44 years, Business Partners Limited has unlocked business value in over 73 000 business finance transactions, providing customised finance solutions to SMEs using debt, equity and blended finance as well as offering comprehensive technical assistance to help portfolio companies grow. Apart from their extensive experience in South Africa, Business Partners Limited has also invested and managed various funds in East and Southern Africa over the last 20 years. The Global SME Finance Awards named Business Partners Limited the 2019 Gold winner in the SME Bank of the Year – Africa.

"Business Partners Limited is thrilled to join the SME Finance Forum. We are looking forward to participating in the Global SME Finance Forum 2025 this year in Johannesburg and benefiting from the comprehensive training programmes and networking opportunities," said Jeremy Lang, Managing Director at Business Partners Limited.

SME Finance Forum: Innovation & Partnership for MSMEs Growth 

The SME Finance Forum, backed by G20 and IFC/World Bank, is the leading global network of 300+ members/affiliates operating in 190 countries. Network comprises of SME focused institutions providing and enabling finance and services- banks, non-banks financial institutions, fintech, payment platforms, development institutions, credit guarantee companies, insurers, investment funds, supply chain linked players, banking and SME associations, policy advocates, regulators, academia, consulting houses, knowledge aggregators.

 Our member, affiliates, and associated stakeholders benefit from learning/replicating best practices from across the world, innovating new products for business growth, acquiring risk mitigation tools, establishing partnerships, attracting investors, and being recognized amongst a peer group of global innovators. Our products consist of “members only” solutions (like innovation hubs, solutions clinics, peer group networks, study tours, specialized tools and trainings, member portal repository, partnered initiatives) as well as public good services (200+ publications library, 500+ videos, webinars, newsletters, trainings, annual awards, annual event etc.)

Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates: 

https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners

About Business Partners Limited

Business Partners Limited is a specialist risk finance company for formal small and medium owner-managed businesses in South Africa and selected African countries. The company actively supports entrepreneurial growth by providing financing from R500, 000 to R50 million, specialist sectoral knowledge, business premises and added-value services for viable small and medium businesses. Since establishment in 1981, Business Partners Ltd has provided business finance worth over R25 billion in over 73 000 transactions facilitating over 700 000 jobs. Business Partners Ltd was named the 2019 Gold winner in the SME Bank of the Year – Africa category at the Global SME Finance Awards*.

*Business Partners Ltd has had remarkable results within the SME segment.

Learn more: 

Website: https://www.businesspartners.co.za/

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