Yemen | SME Finance Forum

geo/yemen

Location

15.552727, 48.516388

Fragile and Conflict affected situations (FCS)

Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), Yemen's microfinance institutions association, an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD, joins the SME Finance Forum

Apr 17, 2025

Washington D.C, March 7, 2025 – Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), Yemen's microfinance institutions association, an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD has joined the SME Finance Forum as the global membership network’s latest member. 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 Yemen's microfinance institutions association. It is with great pleasure I welcome Yemen Microfinance Network to SME Finance Forum. Yemen Microfinance Network's efforts in strengthening microfinance institutions through capacity building, research and development, and advocacy will significantly enhance our collective mission to empower SMEs globally," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.

Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN) is an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD, serving as Yemen's microfinance institutions association. YMN includes over 80% of microfinance institutions in Yemen, comprising banks, foundations, and programs. It serves its 26 members through capacity building, research and development, and advocacy.

“We are thrilled to announce that Yemen Microfinance Network has proudly joined the SME Finance Forum. This step connects us with a global network of changemakers, innovative solutions, collaborative opportunities, and invaluable resources. Together, we are empowering YMN and its 22 dedicated members to better support SMEs in Yemen. together, the possibilities truly have no limits.",

said Mr. Hani Alfaqih, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Yemen Microfinance Network.

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 Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN)

Learn more:

Website: https://yemennetwork.org/

Facebook: YMNnetwork

Instagram: @ymnnetwork

X (formerly Twitter): @YMNnetwork

LinkedIn: YMNnetwork

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New Member: YSys joins the SME Finance Forum

Jul 01, 2021

YSys joins the SME Finance Forum to provide sustainable FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions across regions.

Washington D.C., July 1st, 2021. YSys joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.

“To facilitate access to finance for underserved SMEs, the SME Finance Forum has been building a global membership where our members network and exchange knowledge with each other. We are honored to welcome YSys to join our network of over 220 active members who are diligently supporting SMEs’ development and success worldwide,” said Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum.

Initiated in the context of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and registered in Egypt, where it have its head office, YSys was founded to alleviate the severe economic impact and provide sustainable solutions for its clients. YSys aims to become a leader in offering FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions in the long run.

“Our mission is to develop high-quality FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions and provide long-term services for financial service providers and NGOs. YSys values the opportunity to share its innovations with peer institutions and obtain technical advice from other SME Finance Forum members. We look forward to further achieving our goals as a member of the SME Finance Forum,” said Majed Ahmed Saeed, CEO of YSys.

About SME Finance Forum

The SME Finance Forum was established by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in 2012 as a knowledge center for data, research, and best practice in promoting SME finance. As an implementing partner for the GPFI, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) was tasked with managing the initiative. To see all SME Finance Forum members, please visit: https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

About YSys

YSys was initiated in Yemen as an initiative of Yemen Kuwait Bank, National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH), and YFoundation to address the financial services needs in Yemen during the context of the humanitarian crisis. YSys was registered licensed in Egypt to contribute to the enhancement of FinTech and lead on the innovations of financial technologies. YSys aims to provide sustainable solutions in inclusive methodology for financial service providers and NGOs. Currently, YSys specializes in providing FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions.

New Member - YCASH joins the SME Finance Forum to enhance humanitarian transfers and provide innovative financial solutions to its clients in Yemen

Mar 25, 2021

Washington D.C., March 25th, 2021- National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH) joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME Financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.

“When we started in 2012, we were in an exploratory phase for the first few years. Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our mission to build a global membership to support better SME financing, and since then, we’ve established a network with over 220 active member institutions, which operate in over 190 countries sharing the common purpose of helping under-served enterprises. We are delighted to welcome National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH) to further grow our mission.” said Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum.

As the first company specialized in the provision of humanitarian cash transfer services in Yemen, YCASH has established various partnerships including financial and technological partners and initiatives to enhance humanitarian transfers and other financial and non-financial services. Since its establishment, YCASH has become the exclusive partner of MasterCard’s Community Pass to provide humanitarian and development solutions in Yemen. The company has also launched a technological initiative YSys, offering FinTech and smart humanitarian solutions.

“In the long run, YCASH aims to maintain the continual development of services, systems, and modalities, further partnerships, and provide innovative solutions for donors, financial service providers, NGOs, entrepreneurs, clients and beneficiaries. Thus, we believe that by connecting and collaborating with peer institutions through the SME Finance Forum, we can expose our innovations, our business and exchange experiences on the innovation of SME banking,” said Mohammed Abdullah Humaid, YCASH General Executive Manager.

About SME Finance Forum

To see all SME Finance Forum members, please visit: https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

About National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH)

National Cash Transfer Co. (YCASH) was launched in October 2019 as the first company specialized in providing humanitarian transfers, especially cash transfers and in-kind transfers services in YEMEN, partnering with financial service providers and humanitarian actors. YCASH’s mission is to provide financial and non-financial services, deliver cash and in-kind and innovative solutions through partnerships to contribute to financial inclusion and communities development. YCASH customers include banks, micro-finance institutions, insurance companies, money transfer networks, cash transfers companies, international remittance companies, retailers, NGOs, communities, and beneficiaries.

Read more info at https://ycash.company/

Media Contact

Carina Carrasco

ccarrasco@worldbank.org

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ICD’s Multi-Country BRAVE Women Program Supports Women-led Businesses in Conflict Areas

Nov 26, 2020

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ICD Releases its Report on the BRAVE Project

Nov 24, 2020

Yemen, Rep.

Read more about Yemen, Rep.

Country

Yemen

Current Volume

666917387

Finance gap

14347101696

Micro Women Gap

10321467276

Micro Men Gap

4025634419

MSME Women Gap

10321467276

MSME Men Gap

4025634419

Micro Gap ( Men and Women )

14347101695

The role of credit guarantee schemes in the sustainability of MSMEs ecosystem during the period of conflicts: Evidence from Yemen

Aug 14, 2023

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Yemen Loan Guarantee Program joins the SME Finance Forum to promote access to finance for MSMEs

Apr 08, 2022

Washington D.C., April 8th 2022 – Yemen Loan Guarantee Program joins the SME Finance Forum as the newest member of our global membership network. Our members are SME financing experts from 80+ countries who share the common goal of expanding access to finance to small businesses worldwide through knowledge exchange and innovation.

“When we started in 2012, we were in an exploratory phase for the first few years. Since 2016, we’ve been implementing our mission to build a global membership to support better SME financing, and since then, we’ve established a network with over 240 active member institutions, which operate in over 190 countries sharing the common purpose of helping under-served enterprises. We are delighted to welcome Yemen Loan Guarantee Program to further grow our mission.” said Matthew Gamser, CEO of the SME Finance Forum.

Yemen Loan Guarantee Program is a non-for-profit guarantee provider, aiming to increase the facilitation of credit to enterprise owners for growth and expansion. The YLG provides partial guarantees on loans made by bank and microfinance institutions to MSMEs located in Yemen.

" The credit guarantee industry is emerging in Yemen, and as the only credit guarantee scheme in Yemen, our membership in the SME Finance Forum will facilitate our communications with experienced credit guarantee schemes worldwide to benefit from their expertise and reflect it to the Yemeni market.” said Rami M. Al-Sabri, Managing Director at Yemen Loan Guarantee Program.

About SME Finance Forum
The SME Finance Forum was established by the G20 Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI) in 2012 as a knowledge center for data, research, and best practice in promoting SME finance. As an implementing partner for the GPFI, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) was tasked with managing the initiative. The Forum operates a global membership network of +240 members that brings together financial institutions, technology companies, and development finance institutions to share knowledge, spur innovation, and promote the growth of SMEs.
To see all SME Finance Forum members, please visit: https://www.smefinanceforum.org/members/member-list

About Yemen Loan Guarantee Program
Yemen Loan Guarantee Program is a non-for-profit guarantee provider, aiming to increase the facilitation of credit to enterprise owners for growth and expansion. The YLG provides partial guarantees on loans made by bank and microfinance institutions to MSMEs located in Yemen.
Learn more at:
Website: https://www.ylg-yemen.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ylgprogram/posts/?feedView=all
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YLGprogram/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ylgprogram?lang=en

Yemen Loan Guarantee Program

Read more about Yemen Loan Guarantee Program

Non-for-profit guarantee provider, the YLG provides partial guarantees on loans made by bank and microfinance institutions to MSMEs located in Yemen.

Country / Region

Yemen

Member Since

Thu, 04/07/2022 - 12:00

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Organization Type

Development Finance Institution

Profile Link

Find out more

Location

15.3694451, 44.1910066

Contact Person Name

Rami M. Al-Sabri

Contact Person Title

Managing Director

Contact Person Email

ralsabri@ylg-yemen.org

City/Town location

Sana'a

Operation countries

Yemen

YCash

Read more about YCash

National Cash Transfer launched in 2019 is the first company specialized in the provision of humanitarian transfer services in Yemen (cash and in-kind) partnering with financial service providers and NGOs.

Country / Region

Yemen

Member Since

Thu, 03/11/2021 - 12:00

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