Desenvolve SP, Pioneering Business Growth and Regional Development in São Paulo, Joins SME Finance Forum
Washington D.C, June 27, 2025 – Desenvolve SP, a leader in fostering business growth and regional development in São Paulo, 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.
"It is with great pleasure that I welcome Desenvolve SP to the SME Finance Forum. As the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, your commitment to fostering business growth and regional development through accessible and customized credit solutions is truly inspiring. Your focus on innovation, sustainability, and regional development, along with your efforts to finance companies of all sizes and public infrastructure projects, ensures that entrepreneurs with good projects, including pre-operational companies, can turn their ideas into reality, creating jobs, income, and opportunities throughout São Paulo. We look forward to collaborating with you and learning from your expertise in transforming ideas into impactful realities. Together, we can continue to drive economic development and support entrepreneurs globally," said Qamar Saleem, Head of SME Finance Forum.
Desenvolve SP is the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, dedicated to fostering the growth of businesses and municipalities through accessible and customized credit solutions.
"Joining the SME Finance Forum is a strategic opportunity for Desenvolve SP to broaden its network, exchange experiences, and adopt global best practices in SME financing. Our goal is to enhance access to credit, foster regional development, and create meaningful social and economic impact across the State of São Paulo," said Ricardo Brito, CEO of Desenvolve SP
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 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 Desenvolve SP
Desenvolve SP is the development finance agency of the Government of the State of São Paulo, dedicated to fostering the growth of businesses and municipalities through accessible and customized credit solutions. With a strong focus on innovation, sustainability, and regional development, the institution provides financing for companies of all sizes and public infrastructure projects — always striving to ensure that entrepreneurs with solid projects don’t miss the opportunity to make them happen due to lack of credit. Linked to the State’s Department of Economic Development, its mission is to turn promising ideas into reality — creating jobs, income, and opportunities throughout São Paulo.
Learn More:
Website: https://www.desenvolvesp.com.br/en/
Linkedin: Desenvolve SP
Instagram: desenvolvesp
Facebook: Desenvolve SP
YouTube: Desenvolve SP
TikTok: desenvolvesp
Twitter: @Desenvolve_SP
Dalberg, a Global Leader in Inclusive and Sustainable Development, Joins the SME Finance Forum
GFTN and the SMEFF join forces on SME financing across developed and emerging markets
Global Finance & Technology Network and the SME Finance Forum join forces on SME financing across developed and emerging markets
18th May 2025 – The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), a Singapore head-quartered Global Forums, Advisory and Investment company and the SME Finance Forum, a global network established by the G20 and managed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) are partnering to further organize and grow the annual Global SME Finance Forum event and create value-added services to enhance the SME knowledge bank and digital services offered by the SME Finance Forum.
By uniting GFTN’s expansive international network with the SME Finance Forum’s deep expertise and leadership, this collaboration aims to elevate the annual Global SME Finance Forum and expand access to cutting-edge insights, digital tools, and best practices. Together, the two organisations will harness their complementary strengths to accelerate innovation, deepen knowledge exchange, and drive sustainable, inclusive growth in SME financing across developed and emerging markets.
“In today’s deeply interconnected world, the exchange of global knowledge is essential to tackling the complex and persistent challenges faced by SMEs and MSMEs,” said Sopnendu Mohanty, Group Chief Executive Officer of GFTN. “This partnership stands as a powerful affirmation of our shared commitment to narrowing the SME financing gap. It reflects GFTN’s core mission to harness technology and innovation in building financial ecosystems that are resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. Through this collaboration with the SME Finance Forum, we aim to translate insight into impact, shaping scalable solutions and fostering meaningful partnerships that empower entrepreneurs and strengthen economies worldwide.”
GFTN, will work with the SME Finance Forum to organize the Global SME Finance Forum 2025 from 15 to 17 September 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, as an official side event of the South African G20 Presidency. The conference will focus on practical and scalable financial solutions that empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on ‘Building Resilience and Creating Opportunities for Growth’.
Qamar Saleem, Head of the SME Finance Forum, added: “Forging transformative market alliances is a fundamental pillar of the SME Finance Forum's forward-thinking strategy, designed to tackle the pressing challenges in SME financial services and catalyze job creation and retention. We are delighted to unveil our groundbreaking partnership with GFTN, a collaboration that promises to harness the unique strengths and synergies of both institutions. This partnership aims to accelerate the growth of SME financial services by leveraging technological trends and innovative market solutions. Together, we are committed to expanding impactful convening, strengthening our global network, delivering cutting-edge content, and driving solution-building efforts to ensure that SMEs can thrive and grow.”
About the SME Finance Forum
The SME Finance Forum (SMEFF) was established in 2012 by the G20 and is managed by the IFC, World Bank Group. The objective is to scale SME finance for job creation and economic growth. As the leading SME finance network globally, industry innovations support replication of best practices, steer policy advocacy, and foster global knowledge transfer. It also powers global peer learning membership network by connecting them with relevant partners, investors and policymakers. The network comprises nearly 300 financial services stakeholders with coverage of over 190 countries. It’s the largest SME financial services industry network of its kind. Learn more about the SME Finance Forum at: https://smefinanceforum.org/
About the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN)
The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) set up by the Monetary Authority of Singapore drives global impact in finance, technology, and sustainability by catalysing technology and innovation in finance for more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystems. Through its two subsidiaries, GFTN Services and GFTN Capital, it convenes global forums, offers capacity-building and advisory services, provides access to transformative digital platforms, and invests in technology startups with the potential for growth and positive social impact. Learn more about GFTN at www.gftn.com.
About IFC
IFC — a member of the World Bank Group — is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2024, IFC committed a record $56 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging private sector solutions and mobilizing private capital to create a world free of poverty on a livable planet. For more information, visit www.ifc.org.
10x1000 Tech for Inclusion's Global Challenger Video Contest 2025 is now accepting submissions
- Contest Details and Submission
- Testimonials and stories from previous participants, including last year's winners like Lumbie Mlambo, Monish Mithra Waran, and Wendy Leong. You can read more about their journeys here, here, and here.
Yemen Microfinance Network (YMN), Yemen's microfinance institutions association, an NGO co-funded by UNDP and SFD, joins the SME Finance Forum
First Finance, a leading SME financial services provider in Iraq, adheres to the best international practices to support and empower small and medium-sized enterprises, joins the SME Finance Forum
Beltone SMEs, a subsidiary of Beltone Holding, joins the SME Finance Forum
CGAP Impact Pathways Platform
