Washington D.C, March 26, 2025 – Convergence Blended Finance, the global blended finance network driving private investment in developing countries, has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest affiliate. 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 proudly welcomes Convergence Blended Finance (Convergence). Convergence’s expertise in blended finance and commitment to increasing private sector investment in developing countries align perfectly with our mission to expand financial opportunities for SMEs. We believe that Convergence’s innovative approach to leveraging catalytic capital from public and philanthropic sources will bring valuable insights and opportunities to our forum," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
Convergence Blended Finance is the global network for blended finance. Convergence generates blended finance data, intelligence, and deal flow to increase private sector investment in developing countries. Blended finance uses catalytic capital from public or philanthropic sources to scale up private sector investment in emerging markets to realize the SDGs. Convergence’s global membership includes public, private, and philanthropic investors as well as sponsors of transactions and funds. Convergence offer this community a curated, online platform to connect with each other on blended finance transactions in progress, as well as exclusive access to original market intelligence and knowledge products such as case studies, reports, trainings, and webinars. To accelerate advances in the field, Convergence also provides grants for the design of vehicles that could attract private capital to global development at scale.
“We envision a world where blended finance makes the SDGs investible in emerging markets and developing economies. Joining the SME Finance Forum aligns with our mission, as it provides an invaluable platform to collaborate with like-minded institutions, share insights, and drive impactful investments that support sustainable development and economic growth for SMEs worldwide.,” said Joan M. Larrea, CEO of Convergence Blended Finance.
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.)
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About Convergence Blended Finance
CONVERGENCE is the global network for blended finance. We generate blended finance data, intelligence, and deal flow to increase private sector investment in developing countries.
BLENDED FINANCE uses catalytic capital from public or philanthropic sources to scale up private sector investment in emerging markets to realize the SDGs.
Our GLOBAL MEMBERSHIP includes public, private, and philanthropic investors as well as sponsors of transactions and funds. We offer this community a curated, online platform to connect with each other on blended finance transactions in progress, as well as exclusive access to original market intelligence and knowledge products such as case studies, reports, trainings, and webinars.
To accelerate advances in the field, Convergence also provides grants for the design of vehicles that could attract private capital to global development at scale.
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