Nedbank, one of Africa’s largest banking groups, joins the SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C. and Johannesburg – October 2, 2025 — Nedbank Group, a leading financial services provider has joined the SME Finance Forum as the network’s newest member. As part of a 200+ member alliance spanning 190 countries, Nedbank underlines its commitment to driving SME growth through digital innovation, business support, and new approaches to inclusive finance. Nedbank has won numerous global awards as “Best SME Bank in South Africa”* in recent years, including consecutive awards for the past four years from the Asian Banker.
“We are delighted to welcome Nedbank Group to the SME Finance Forum,” said Qamar Saleem, Head of the SME Finance Forum. “Their deep expertise in SME banking, commitment to innovation, and focus on sustainability will enrich our global community and help us collectively address the financing gap faced by small businesses.
Nedbank’s dedication to small and medium-sized enterprises is reflected in the comprehensive suite of payment, lending and business support services tailored to the SME market, its extensive network of over 500 small business bankers in over 200 locations’and the many business development initiatives the bank drives to promote entrepreneurship in the country. The bank’s specialised services extend to sectors such as medical, franchising, and agriculture. Within the developing township economy, Nedbank continues to innovate and leverage partnerships to co-create solutions with clients that unlocks value for both parties.
"The Global SME Finance Forum (GSMEFF) is a great platform that brings together leading institutions to share knowledge and best practice as we challenge each other to scale SME finance globally.”, said Andiswa Bata, Group Managing Executive: Business and Commercial Banking at Nedbank. “By joining this forum, we are excited by the opportunity to contribute positively to this cause, and also leverage the resources and expertise of the forum to have a greater impact on our SME clients and the broader communities in which they operate. Forums like the GSMEFF shine the spotlight on the fact that no single institution can close the SME financing gap alone. If we want SMEs to thrive, we need innovation, inclusivity, and collective action. Hence, as Nedbank, we feel deeply privileged to announce our membership in the forum; and are truly excited to make a difference, together."
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 200+ 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 members, 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.
*Nedbank has consistently been recognised internationally as the Best SME Bank in South Africa, having received awards from multiple global institutions: The Asian Banker – Global Middle East & Africa Awards (Best SME Bank in SA: 2022 - 2025), Global Finance Magazine – Global Finance Awards (Best SME Bank in SA: 2024), Global Banking & Finance Review – Global Banking & Finance Awards (Best SME Bank in SA: 2024), and The Digital Banker – Global SME Banking Innovation Awards (Best SME Bank in SA 2025). These accolades reaffirm Nedbank’s leadership in SME banking, its commitment to innovation, and its focus on enabling the growth and success of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Discover the SME Finance Forum members/affiliates and LinkedIn:
https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list
https://smefinanceforum.org/about/partners
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sme-finance-forum-managed-by-ifc/
About Nedbank Group
Nedbank Group is a bank holding company listed on the JSE Limited, with a market capitalisation of R137bn as at 31 December 2024. Nedbank is one of Africa’s largest banking groups, with operations in South Africa, Namibia, Eswatini, Mozambique, Lesotho and Zimbabwe, and offshore in the Isle of Man and Jersey. It also has representative offices in other Africa countries, including Kenya, and has key global financial centres to provide international banking services for SA-based multinational and high-net-worth clients in London and Dubai. The group is a diversified financial services provider, offering a wide range of wholesale and retail banking and financial services. Nedbank has maintained its level 1 BBBEE status for the past 7 years and rates in the top quartile of local and international banks on ESG scores.
Learn More:
Website: group.nedbank.co.za
LinkedIn: Nedbank
Facebook: Nedbank
X: Nedbank
Instagram: Nedbank
TikTok: Nedbank
YouTube: Nedbank
